Cabin & Cowshed Soap Co has opened the doors of its first retail shop.
Located down a quaint passageway between the Highworth Hardware shop and The Old Bakery, it offers a range of handmade soap and bath products.
Open every Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm the shop also has a selection of giftable items made by other small independent businesses.
The opening ceremony was performed by the Mayor of Highworth, Cllr Julie Murphy.
Founder Jess Falding said: “When I first started making soap I never intended on selling it; it was just a lockdown hobby that I enjoyed and which allowed me to learn new skills.
"I created an Instagram account to share photos of my creations and track my progress and within a month I had gained 500 followers and had people asking to purchase my soap bars. I launched my website in September 2020 and have successfully traded at a number of events and markets.
"Over time I have dreamed of opening my first retail shop and when I saw the unit I knew it was the one. I hope I have created a warm and inviting space where people can come and browse for themselves as well as for gifting loved ones.
"The building has some gorgeous quirky features and there is even a room for my workshop where I can create all my products moving forward."
Cabin & Cowshed Soap Co aims to provide bath products which not only smell incredible but are made using skin-loving ingredients. All products are handmade entirely from scratch and have been carefully formulated to include base oils, butters, essential oil blends and a variety of clays, herbs, teas, spices and botanical infusions.
They contain no detergents, synthetic fragrances or artificial colours.
Jess said ahead of the opening: "I am so excited to join the Highworth high street community and can’t wait to bring something unique to the town.
"I’ll be stocking a selection of handmade products from other small businesses which I haven’t seen in any shops nearby – I don’t think there is any other shop in the surrounding area like this.
“The people of Highworth have always been incredibly supportive of my business over the years by ordering online and visiting me at my markets, and I look forward to catching up with regular customers as well as hopefully meeting lots of new faces.”
At the start of the pandemic, Jess moved to Lower Shaw Farm in West Swindon and enjoyed a summer living in a small wooden cabin in the garden.
Inspired by the new surroundings, she ordered a book on natural soap making as she was struggling with dry and sensitive skin as a result of using commercially made soap bars.
After a lot of research, she embarked on a mission to put her soap-making skills to the test on a table in the farm’s former cowshed.
Following much trial and error, she was thrilled to create a range of beautiful and all-natural soap bars that she wanted to share with the world - and so Cabin & Cowshed Soap Co was born.
Its website is www.cabinandcowshed.co.uk
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