Teddington's much-loved Happy Potter Ceramics is celebrating its 15^th birthday this month, and the community is invited to join.

On Sunday, 26 October, from 10am to 6pm, the ceramic shop will host a day of crafts and cake, all free to enjoy.

The event will include face painting, temporary tattoos, free studio fees and treats.

Una opened the shop back in 2010 at just 23-years-old, with the business starting humbly as a pop-up in her mum's coffee shop in Weybridge using leftover supplies from a closed pottery café where she worked as a teenager.

"I used to get it all out on Saturday morning and then put it all away again later on a Sunday evening," Una recalled.

"It was just a bit sad because I really wanted my own space."

That dream became reality when she found a spot in Teddington.

"The landlord ended up saying 'I just knew that my mum would have really loved your business, so he went with us in the end."

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Since then, Happy Potter has grown into one of Teddington's most loved community spots.

Alongside the hands-on help with the painting that makes it special, it's the warm, homely atmosphere and the way customers, many of them regulars for years, are made to feel like part of the family.

"Some of them have been coming since they were babies, or a couple of years old, and some of those girls are now working here," Una said.

"I bumped into someone on Sunday who said that we were the creative hub of Teddington."

The team partners with local schools for work experience, hosts adults-only Bottle & Brush evenings, and supports charity raffles.

Even during tough times, the support from locals never wavered.

"We nearly closed this year, because our landlords were thinking of selling, and that was a bit scary. But I think our customers are what keep us going," Una said.

During lockdown, Happy Potter offered DIY craft kids to be delivered.

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"I was literally at the post office every day. We just have the most amazing customers," Una said.

Though Una is now a busy mum and not in the shop every day, she is excited for the future.

She has plans to expand the shop's popular adult workshops, including calligraphy and candle making, to push for that after-hours creative energy.

"Crafting has become so popular, we have had an influx of adults, so we are going to try and push after hours events a bit more," Una said.

Everyone is welcome to attend the birthday celebration on 26 October, and you can book your table here.