An array of giftware awaits you in Caernarfon

Please feel free to come in and browse!

Who and what are we?

Welcome to the "About Me" page.  My name is Phil Cooper and I'm the sole proprietor for GIFT HORSE, an independent giftware store based in the heart of the Royal Town of Caernarfon in Gwynedd.

Caernarfon, set next to the beauty and breathtaking scenery of both the Snowdonia National Park and the Menai Straits, has been our base since August 2003.  Previously, we operated from Anglesey but expansion led us to our current home which is situated on the main pedestrianised street opposite the former Woolworths and next to Superdrug.

I have been in the retail industry since leaving University in 1991 and have managed retail operations for both myself and major companies, (sometimes at the same time!) from Christchurch in Dorset to Ambleside in the Lake District.

Gift Horse started life as a small outlet in an old corn mill in Ambleside called, The Waterwheel Shop.  I bought the business in 1999 and I suppose my biggest achievement at that time was to survive the Foot & Mouth crisis that devastated the rural economy in 2000/01.   We did actually have a fully working waterwheel on the side of the shop!

I relocated the business to Anglesey in 2001 after receiving an offer to return and take over a 24hr petrol convenience business I had previously run in Menai Bridge.  Now, with all other concerns sold, I am concentrating my energies in building Gift Horse into a solid presence on the High Street and online.

The shop pages contain just a small amount of the vast and varied collection of giftware we have to offer.  More will appear online in the future but please bear with us - it is time consuming creating all these entries as well as manning the shop!  If you cannot see what you are after please drop us an email or give us a ring and we will try to advise you in the best possible way.

We promise to try and turn your order around within 24 hours subject to stock availability.  The vast majority of goods are sent by either standard Royal Mail services or by courier.  Postage quoted on all items is for the UK only - if buying from outside the UK please email to confirm postage costs - in these circumstances insurance is recommended.

Thank you for your attention and we hope to hear from you soon.