The Works UK
The Works is a British value retailer specialising in arts and crafts, stationery, books, toys and games. Its stores sell supplies for drawing, painting, card making and other creative projects, alongside books, children's activities, gifts and everyday stationery. Although its website still displays product ranges and creative ideas, The Works closed its online shopping service in 2026 and purchases are now made in stores.
Arts and Crafts Supplies
The Works stocks a range of affordable creative materials for adults and children. Products include craft kits, card-making supplies, beads, stickers, foam shapes, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, glue, paints and modelling materials.
Seasonal craft products are also available for occasions such as Christmas, Easter and Halloween. The selection is suited to school projects, family activities, decorations and simple handmade gifts.
Painting, Drawing and Creative Projects
Art supplies include acrylic and watercolour paints, paintbrushes, canvases, sketchbooks, colouring pencils, markers, felt-tip pens, crayons and drawing pads. Beginners and younger artists can also find ready-made art sets and activity kits.
Products from The Works' Crawford & Black range include selected art materials and stationery. The range and availability vary between stores.
Stationery, Books and Toys
Stationery products include notebooks, journals, pens, pencils, folders, planners and school supplies. The Works also sells reading books, children's picture books, fiction, non-fiction, activity books and colouring books.
Its toys and games section includes puzzles, jigsaws, board games, craft activities, building sets, soft toys and educational products. The range provides additional options for children's gifts and screen-free activities.
Shopping at The Works
The Works operates more than 500 stores across the UK and Ireland, including high street shops, shopping centres, retail parks and garden centres. Its website provides a store locator with addresses, opening hours and contact details.
The Works stopped accepting online orders in 2026. Click & Collect and its business-to-business and education ordering services have also been discontinued or paused. Product availability cannot currently be checked through the website, so customers should contact their local store about specific items.
Store Returns and Refunds
For store purchases, The Works offers refunds within 28 days when customers present a valid receipt and return the goods with their original outer packaging intact. Without a receipt, an exchange or gift card may be offered at the current or latest selling price.
Faulty or damaged products can be returned to a store within 12 months for an exchange or credit note under the retailer's policy. These terms do not affect customers' statutory consumer rights.
From Discount Books to Family Activities
The Works began in 1981 as Remainders Limited, a discount bookshop. Over time, the business expanded beyond books to include stationery, toys, games and arts and crafts.
The retailer introduced online shopping in 2012 and Click & Collect in 2015. In 2026, it closed its transactional website and returned its focus to its store network. The company now operates as TheWorks plc.
Disclaimer: FindShops is an independent shopping directory and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Works. Brand names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Product selection, store availability and returns policies may change. Please visit the official website or contact a local store for current information.