Clearcraft History

It all began in 1990, some 35 years ago.

And as is so often the case, the company began out of necessity! And necessity is the mother of invention!

With barely two pennies to rub together, Clearcraft was born.

Back then, there was such a thing as a Young Entrepreneurs Grant. As long as I turned up each week for the meetings, and the business guidance at a small classroom in Whitechapel, I would receive the princely sum of £40 pounds a week to try and keep body and soul together while trying to get the business off the ground.

And on our first day of trading, at the covered market in Greenwich, in September 1990 we took £176! On the second day, we took £177 and we were on our way!

We expanded to a total of 7 market stalls around London, before beginning to wholesale and sell to some shops.

Our big break, if you like, came when a John Lewis buyer noticed our products in a shop window and approached us. From there we went on to supply Allders, Tesco, Asda, Fortnum and Masons, Superdrug, Debenhams, Selfridges….you name it.

By this time, we had our own glass blowing factory working flat out to keep up with demand.

As gift markets became dominated by Chinese imports, and many independent gift shops went to the wall, we switched our main focus to the hospitality trade. This was over 20 years ago, and where we have made our home ever since.

In similar vein, we have supplied the great and the good in hospitality, the same way as we did in the gift industry, and can list Prezzo, Greene King, Tamarind, Gordon Ramsay, Clare Smythe, River Café, Dorian and many others in our past and present client list.

We have endured through two recessions and Covid to continue bringing you our wonderful products and support you in delivering perfect ambience.

Mike and Gill