A NORTHWICH shop has supported more than 50 Balinese families over the past 20 years.

Macouti is an independent lifestyle shop specialising in hand-made goods from all over the world, and has branches in Northwich and Crewe.

The owner, Mel Wilson, opened her Northwich shop in 1996 and moved to the Witton Street site in 2007.

Mel said: “It’s Macouti’s hand-made furniture and gifts that set our shop out from others and we’re one of a kind in Northwich.

“We import about 80 per cent of our products ourselves and visit Bali regularly, among other places, to work with local families, source products and develop ideas.

“Over the years we’ve worked with more than 50 Balinese families, and it’s wonderful to see how they pass their handmade traditions and skills down through the family.

“Much of our stock has been hand-crafted, and each one has its own story, with a particular family taking the time to transform raw materials into something special and unique.

“The teak root tables are a perfect example – each one takes the family many hours to clean and sand the roots, before levelling them and treating them with their home-made organic waxes and varnishes. They are a work of art.

“The chances are that anyone who has bought a carving, a piece of furniture or even a lamp from us has helped keep a Balinese community in work or to put their children through school.

“From everyone at Macouti and all the families we work with, we must say a tremendous thank you. That’s partly what has prompted us to develop our own loyalty card, which we’ll be launching in a few weeks.”

Jane Hough, manager of Northwich Business Improvement District said: “Macouti is a perfect example of how a unique product range can really set you apart. With such a strong range of independent shops here in Northwich there’s no shortage of reasons to shop local.”

Over the past 12 months Macouti has invested in its own warehousing to better manage its imported stock and to support the shop’s planned move online later this year.