Rishi has congratulated two small retail businesses after their first full year trading in Northallerton.
The Richmond and Northallerton MP called in to the Yorkshire Scent Co and Attire Boutique Dress Agency to hear their success stories.
Both opened their doors a year ago and are now well established in the busy town centre.
He said: “It’s great to see small businesses investing in the town and enjoying success with their quality products and services.
“Small enterprises like these power our local economy and I wish them both the best of luck as they develop their niche businesses.”
The Yorkshire Scent Co – which makes candles, diffusers and wax melts – is based in one of the town hall retail units in the High Street.
It was founded during the second Covid 19 lockdown by Julie Brass, working on her kitchen table at home.
She initially sold online, to other retailers and farmers’ markets before taking the plunge with her first retail outlet where she also creates her products by hand.
Now working with partner Steve Hewitt, the range is produced using the finest vegan and eco-friendly soy wax and oils.
It includes a steam train fragrance, produced for heritage railways, which conjures up the golden age of steam. It has proved a big seller.
Ms Brass said: “We are incredibly proud of how the business has grown since an idea dreamed up in lockdown. We have lots of repeat customers, among them our local MP.”
Attire Boutique in Friarage Street is the brainchild of sisters Angie Hall and Pamela O’Brien. Having both worked in corporate settings they wanted a business in which they could share the work and responsibility.
The agency takes clients’ clothes – typically suitable for occasions like weddings, black-tie balls and dinners – and offers it for sale on the client’s behalf. The sale proceeds are spilt 50:50 with the client. If the outfit doesn’t sell in eight weeks it is returned to the client.
The shop – extensively refurbished by the partners – has extensive stock spread over two floors of womenswear and accessories suitable for the races, Proms, parties and other special occasions.
Mrs O’Brien said: “We’ve only been open a year, but our clients and customers are already reaping the benefits and are full of praise for our new venture.”
