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Started in 1924 by the grandmother of the present owner as an outlet for her daughters handicrafts. The first premises were in the old Central Buildings in Pepper Street, later moving to rooms over what was for many years Halfords in Northgate Street, where 10 girls were employed, tooling leather, fashioning brass work, carrying out needlework and decorative painting under the supervision of her daughter Gladys, and Mrs.Beatrice Hutcheson herself had a room for display and for selling the work.  The artistic streak in the Hutcheson family can be traced back to Walter Hutcheson a 19th century artist and member of The Scottish Royal Academy

But with no window on the street for display purposes, Beatrice Hutcheson decided she must make a real effort. So writing to the then agent to the Duke of Westminster, she asked for the lease of a shop in St. Michael's Arcade which at that time was a cul de sac and after meetings and consultations as to the advisability of such a shop there, Mrs. Hutcheson opened The Arts and Crafts Studio in the Arcade in 1933, just six years before war was to take most of the workroom girls for the war effort, but in time enough for her to become established.

In those early days, everything they had for sale was made on the premises. They were famous for suede belts and trimmings, for beautiful leatherwork and for lots of accessories, which today are manufactured in bulk. Finished items were sold to many leading London stores, including Selfridges. Mary Whitehouse (daughter) recalls in her autobiography, “Everyone got behind the effort to start up an arts and crafts business from home and one of my most vivid memories is of how we all worked together to market our wares. One of the most successful was our special line in suede belts, which were composed of different coloured leaves, machined together and veins marked with pokerwork. We would all sit round the table working like mad to fulfill huge orders (hundreds of belts at a time) from London stores”

The shop survived through the war and and gradually increased the product range buying in more stock from travelers and manufacturers agents who would call with their suitcases full of wares including Nottingham lace and Irish linen table cloths. Accounts were opened with the German porcelain manufacturer Hummel in the early 50's and also Royal Doulton. Gladys, Beatrice's daughter continued to make articles for sale including costume dolls, all the details quite authentic, and every small item of clothing from shoes to hats made by hand in her workroom. Gladys continued to work into her 80's despite being crippled with polio from the age of 6. She died in 1995 aged 87. In 1997 the needlework shop moved across the arcade adjacent to the toy shop and a new craft department was opened on the first floor.

The toy shop was opened opposite the original site in St Michaels Row by Beatrice's son Donald in 1948. The business was built up gradually and the basement was subsequently turned into the model department this expanded rapidly in the late 50's with the growing interest in model railways and in 1970 Michael Hutcheson joined the family enterprise, after a spell teaching art having graduated from Goldsmiths College London. He began to develop the radio control side along with continental railways.Mikes brother Nick joined the business in 1976, became a partner in 1981 and was responsible for the running of the model dept. In 2004 an apparent window of opportunity opened when the lease on the St Michaels Row Shop expired and  larger premises just around the corner in Bridge Street Row became available after more than 2 years of reconstruction following a major fire in 2001. These premises were modern with all the latest Health an Safety policies implemented, including disabled access and sprinkler systems. Over 3,000 sq ft on 2 floors  devoted to catering for the whole family and their hobbies and interests.

With 13 full and part time staff with over 90 years experience between them, notably Marjorie Manning with 35 years experience heading the needlework department and Carol Evans on 29 years at the helm of the toy department their was no shortage of qualified guidance.

In November 2007 the high street store was sold to Modelzone, a national chain of hobby stores. This has left Mike Hutcheson, with the help of his wife Jo, free to build and develop the website with the same attention to customer satisfaction and service as you expect from a family business with over 84 years experience.

Below is a charming letter from an older customer on reading that the shop had been sold November 2007

Mrs D G

Mold

North Wales

18/11/2007

Dear Mr Hutcheson,

I have had an interesting time (and a bit nostalgic!) Going down ‘memory lane’, this weekend after reading the Evening Leader, November 15^th about the closure of your business in Chester. I noted you live in Mold but couldn’t find your telephone number, otherwise I would have phoned you.

  The Arts and Crafts Shop in St Michaels Arcade I remember well from probably 1939. I used to do quite a lot of embroidery many years ago- (as one did then!).

  I bought a tapestry from this shop- horse and coaches scene outside an inn - about 1940. My home was in Hawarden and we had a shelter built in the garden, my father was ‘called up’ in 1939 with the regiment he commanded-Territorial Army. I suppose he wanted some safety for us while he was away. If I remember correctly- air raids beginning locally 1940/41 and it was considered a good idea to be occupied in some way in the air raid shelter-hence this tapestry.

  Unfortunately, two colours ran out, sky blue and dark brown-none in stock. So it was rolled up in a cloth and put away- for one reason or another-,career; married 1955;-3 children etc. it didn’t resurface until a few years ago, eventually completed with great satisfaction and now proudly framed in our lounge! On a clean space on the bottom before it was framed. I embroidered, who had worked this item- where living, when and where finished. Somebody someday will have a surprise when it has eventually to be reframed-many years hence!

  I have also a sewing bag- linen, with a hand-embroidered (I would think) scene- the inevitable crinoline lady of those days –and garden, lined with floral cotton. This was given to me – as a young teenager, by a very nice airman who was billeted on us from Hawarden RAF Station- for Christmas-cant remember what my sister had. I know it came from-‘your’ shop in Chester. I remember-to me then-an old lady in the shop. Shortish? -Glasses? Grey hair perhaps your grandmother? The shop was very useful-interesting variety of good quality items at reasonable prices.

  It must be sad for you and the family to bring this business to an end after so many years of good trading. Since we married in 1955- we have moved around the country because of my husbands’ occupation – and a short time overseas. So- I haven’t been the customer I used to be!

  Another bit of ‘Old Chester’ and I am not considering the Romans! - Bollands- afternoon tea on a Saturday afternoon – wartime only allowed one cake- choice was then different- later, diner 5/- (expensive then!) Plane Tree Café, Bridge Street – Littles by Bollands – Quaintways (especially Saturday nights!) – Owen Owens, Densons; William Jones, The Three Arches – Richard Jones’s- and not forgetting Blake’s, Confectioner, Watergate Row- Ken Blake’s sister married a relative of mine. Considering these various shops of the past & now yours- Chester changed for the better? I doubt it, less personal. There speaks an older member of society!

  I hope you didn’t mind my writing to you at this time but as I had the thoughts- I decided to put them on paper especially my memories of your original shop etc.

  With best wishes for your retirement.

Thank you D. G. however I have not retired yet. Far from it!