Spring Is Here

 

“The world’s favourite season is the spring. 

All things seem possible in May.”

–  Edwin Way Teale

 

Over the recent weeks our attention as a nation has been firmly fixed on the developing Coronavirus situation, both here and across the globe. As the anxiety and concern surrounding such a widespread pandemic has been consuming us all, the dawn of a new month and the arrival of a fresh season begins to sail in a ship of hope to many of us looking for a light at the end of the lockdown tunnel.

It is no secret that the economy has taken a blow. With so many everyday heroes working both on the frontline and from home, life as we know has ground to a suspending halt. It is of little surprise that the hardest hit businesses are the small, independent crafters and makers, who depend so faithfully on every single sale. And with the future of businesses like ours hanging in the balance, ingenuity, perseverance and passion begin to shine through new ways of keeping (virtual) doors open for business and ensuring a safe passage through to the other side.

 

The Great Online.

 

Under the current government restrictions on movement, the once great outdoors has made the fated switch to the great online. Thanks to the powers of the internet, staying connected and staying in business remains entirely possible, from the guideline coherent safety of our sofa desk.

Our silver-lining this Spring has undoubtably been the well-timed launch of our new look website. We’ve had a tumultuous relationship with online retail since originally launching our web store, and it’s safe to say we’ve finally landed on the right virtual foot, and just in the nick of time, with this latest contemporary outlet for our traditional trade.

Sleek product photography and effortless ways to customise and explore bring our leather workshop to the convenience of your computer screen. The technology to bring you the smell of the workroom is still to be invented, but for now you can visualise your way through our showroom shelves – safely.

Our online store will continue to accept your much appreciated orders for the foreseeable future. There may be a longer delay in processing time, but the quality and durability of a handcrafted leather product born out of our workshop is worth waiting just a little bit longer for. You can also still enjoy 10% off our entire collection, with FREE worldwide shipping, making the month of May that bit merrier.

 

Standing the test of time.

 

Our bags last, this we know for certain. But the future of our trade is in doubt.

The grim reality facing so many tradesman like Mackenzie is a question of exactly that – the future. If independent makers, specialists and master craftsmen practicing traditional techniques fail to make it through this pandemic, the fate of an already vulnerable craft is bleak.

And we’re not standing alone. The support and survival of one impacts so many others in a knock-on wave through many other individuals and businesses integral to the Mackenzie name. Our employees, the tanneries, brass fitting company, lining and canvas providers, through to services such as  our window cleaner – we all face the same uncertainty, yet all rely on each others survival.

 

Connect and stay up-to-date.

 

It certainly is fitting, therefore, that so many stand together in this community whilst being forced to physically stand so far apart.

As May springs us forward to sunnier times on the 1st of the month, we’ll be launching our New  monthly Newsletter! This digital bulletin will land in your inbox at the start of each new month,  featuring the latest blog, key updates on recent goings-on, and most importantly news of exciting offers, promotions and products. Simply scroll to the bottom of any page on our website and enter your email address in the subscription box to sign up.

What’s more, all new subscribers will receive a 15% discount code to use online*, as a token of appreciation for your support.

Staying connected online is a lifeline to many like us, and will continue to keep us afloat. So in the midst of these dark skies, we look forward to the future with the flourishing feeling of Spring.

 

We’re all in this together, and together we’ll bloom.

 

 

_

*one discount code may be used per order – please do not attempt to accumulate our current discount codes, simply place a separate order to enjoy!