The latest small business from Pembrokeshire, to become a tenant in the test trading facilities in Shared Spaces is Cwtch Candles, a soy wax candle business founded in 2016.
Husband and wife duo, with a bit of help from Little Miss Cwtch, have a passion for all things scented and founded the business after finding out Mrs Cwtch was allergic to paraffin-based candles. In their search to find a suitable substitute, they came across a soy wax candle making kit and started experimenting. After starting with a small box of candles and a few tubs of melts, they’re now in the seventh year of trading offering over 100 scents in products for the home, bathroom and car.
Having traded at many local craft fayres and markets, they are now aiming to become ‘Your One Stop Aroma Shop' and test trading their products at the pop-up shop facilities in Shared Spaces Haverfordwest. The time in the shop will allow them to understand what it takes to operate in a retail space and raise awareness of their brand and products.
Lowri said:
“I'm looking forward to seeing how well this works, it can be difficult for a person to know what scent they like when ordering online. Being able to come and smell the products for themselves is ideal and the perfect opportunity to see our full product range”.
The Shared Spaces pop-up shop is situated in Riverside Shopping Centre, a central location with easy access, and where Cwtch Candles will be based until 24th February.
Gareth Thomas, Assistant Community Manager at Shared Spaces said:
“This is an exciting opportunity for Lowri and her husband to find out if they can make the business a success in a retail space. They will use their time with us to understand how to showcase their products, gain direct feedback from customers and raise awareness of their brand in the town. “
Shared Spaces Haverfordwest offers opportunities to test-trade, but also provides fully funded 1-2-1 business support, workshops and networking events, co-working facilities, and meeting rooms.
Shared Spaces Haverfordwest is funded by Third Sector Resilience Fund for Wales Phase 2 Scheme, administered by WCVA. Business in Focus delivers this project in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council.