A candle company set up in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is thriving – after a chance discovery from the director of a hotel group led to a successful collaboration.
Fellside Candle Co was commissioned to create a special candle for The Falls Spa near Keswick after one of the directors from parent company, Lake District Hotels, spotted the business on Instagram.
Fellside Candle Co is owned and operated by Gail Hailes, who creates her candles in a hut on Mosser Fell near the family farm on the outskirts of Cockermouth in Cumbria.
She started the business last October after deciding she wanted to turn her passion into something more tangible.
From her hut, Gail creates fragrances and candles for her signature Fellside range, whilst working on special projects and commissions for other businesses.
Gail, who previously worked as a graphic designer, said: “It is difficult to put a price on the value of a partnership with a company the size of Lake District Hotels.
“I was speechless when I realised after Dani’s initial contact where she was from; it’s such a fantastic business.
“The Falls Spa is a stunning place to spend time and to be asked to create a candle especially for it, and to be given the freedom to create the scent and the pot, has been such a wonderful experience.
“I am one woman, who has set out on a journey and for Fellside Candle Co to have taken off in the way it has, and to get the attention we are because of our relationship with Lake District Hotels, is amazing.”
Dani Hope, a director at Lake District Hotels, said: “We’re so pleased with the response from guests to our Falls Spa candles. The first batch we ordered sold out far more quickly than we had anticipated.
“For a while, I’ve been wanting to create some bespoke items to retail in The Falls Spa for our guests to take home as a memento of their visit or as a gift to friends and family.
“It’s great to be up and running with the first product. I’m very happy with the results. The smell definitely transports you into a spa treatment room; it’s very relaxing with some lovely fresh undertones.
“The fact we have been able to create this product while collaborating with and supporting a local business just 18 miles away is great. I’m really keen to build more relationships with local suppliers.”
The Fall Spa is located at The Lodore Falls Hotel on the shores of Derwentwater.
