The Cheap Shop
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The Cheap Shop
If you place an order online, selecting click and collect, please wait for us to advise you that the order is ready for collection. We only sell a selection of fabrics and knitting yarn on our website, if you would like anything else then please call us to place a telephone order on 01621 815576. Since 1968 our family-run shop in Tiptree has been supplying and inspiring crafters across Essex and beyond.

Our shop looks little from the front, but behind its doors is 4500 square feet of craft-lovers paradise! Our aim is to stock all materials and tools needed for any task, and we strive to offer the best combination of quality and value for money. We hope our Aladdin's Cave surprises and thrills you as you walk through its door and experience its colour and busy shelves.
Services
Winnie and Albert Wiffen (my in-laws) were originally market people from London and set up a stall in many of the local market places, with Colchester being their main location. It was in 1968 that my father-in-law Albert said that he was thinking of opening a shop in Tiptree and I would later I run it for him.
Currently you are able to buy Knitting Yarns, Patchwork & Quilting fabrics and now Dress Fabrics online but we also operate a good mail order service for any other products within the shop that are not yet listed. This has a fixed postage charge of 2.99 for delivery in the UK and we aim to send all orders placed by 3pm the same working day.
Reviews (17)
Vick Gammons
Vick Gammons
Jan 17, 2022
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Aladins cave,that's how my mum described it. She was spot on. Full of gems and amazing ideas at every turn. You could see why the rest of the town was dead - they were all in this shop. Staff were brilliant,knew everything and where it all was. Honestly,if your even slightly interested in a bit of crafting then you need to see this place.
Darcy Jackson
Darcy Jackson
Dec 27, 2021
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I adore this place! Helpful, lovely, polite and incredibly knowledgeable staff there. Very narrow thought and a step to get in so not wheelchair accessible unfortunately
Naomi Clement
Naomi Clement
Dec 18, 2021
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Esther Brooker
Esther Brooker
Nov 15, 2021
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Love this shop very helpful staff. I did how ever find myself trapped in the store ever time I tried to get out their was an old lady holding balls of wool that I couldn't get passed
Deborah Wilkins
Deborah Wilkins
Oct 24, 2021
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Love this shop. It looks smalk from the street but once inside you can get lost in its many aisles which seem to go on forever. I come here to buy wool mainly but there is everything a crafter or hobbyist could want in here, great quilt fabric selection, dressmaking and upholstery fabrics too. Toys , puzzles, dolls house fixings, model making kits abd much more.
Wendy Morris
Wendy Morris
Oct 02, 2021
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Excellent selection of fabrics, haberdashery, yarn and sewing material and loads more , helpful friendly staff
Michelle Grant
Michelle Grant
Sep 21, 2021
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Placed an order yesterday, and this evening it was hand delivered directly to my door! Fantastic fabrics, great personal service and a neighbour who works in store, what great luck! 😎😍😎
Michelle Camping
Michelle Camping
Sep 19, 2021
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Its an aladins cave for crafts.
Lovely helpful staff.
It had everything I could think for all sorts of crafts.
The choice of materials is amazing!
Worth a visit especially if your not local.
Yvette Donovan
Yvette Donovan
Sep 10, 2021
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An amazing place. Just like an Aladdin's cave with all sorts of nooks and crannies filled to the brim for any 'would be' crafter's. Reasonable prices make it good value for money and a particularly good range of fabrics. So many crafts are represented here...you won't get bored! Staff were also very helpful and amenable.
Alison Wagstaff
Alison Wagstaff
Sep 07, 2021
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I do love this shop, as I enjoy certain crafts and they have a great choice of items. When I visited this week, I bought the wrong item, the assistant who showed me where the items where, left me so quickly, didn't get chance to ask more questions, which would have stopped the mistake I made.
Sheila Harris
Sheila Harris
Sep 07, 2021
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Nice friendly shop for your crafting needs. Went for some wool and buttons found everything I needed. Not to busy. Would recommend
Claire Ellis
Claire Ellis
Jun 01, 2021
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Great shop so much material to choose from. Staff so friendly and helpful, what you cannot get here you won't get anywhere x
Nicola Tolhurst
Nicola Tolhurst
May 08, 2021
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They are a really friendly shop. you get a great service, always get plenty of help or advice on any craft project.
Jo Breedon
Jo Breedon
Mar 05, 2021
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I have always found the staff here to be extremely helpful, knowledgeable, efficient and friendly. They always go the extra mile to serve you. The products they sell are top quality and of great variety and value. I can't recommend the shop highly enough. To be honest, if they don't stock it it probably doesn't exist!
Emma Macey Clarke
Emma Macey Clarke
Nov 14, 2020
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Brilliant service once again. Placed an order by phone this morning, and just collected it. All contactless too.
Isabella Mahoney
Isabella Mahoney
Aug 19, 2020
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I'm a crafter from Malta and could not find the material I needed locally. Came across this shop on line and must say was very well served and assisted in all my queries by the wonderful Stephanie. Even during these difficult times, my order made it home in just a week. Cannot thank you enough for all your help.
Tracy Nobbs
Tracy Nobbs
Jul 28, 2020
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What an amazing lovely shop and very friendly staff and customers cant wait to come back.😊 thank you xx