Flame And Fortune

From Harrods to hand-crafted candles – how a West Yorkshire maker is enjoying the sweet smell of success

- Jo Haywood

Alex Hall could be accused of burning the candle at both ends. The super-busy mum of-two has a time-consuming corporate job, a hectic social life and a fledgling business that’s already generating a lot of retail heat despite only launching at the end of 2017. She created The Little Yorkshire Candle Company as a way of indulging her passion for creative crafts in her rare, and therefore precious, odd hours of me-time. The resulting collection of 100 per cent natural candles, made with coconut, soy and beeswax scented with essential oils and plant extracts, has been flying off the shelves ever since.

Alex, originally from Leeds and now based in Church Fenton, has always had a strong craft and design impulse. She began working at Harrods as a retail trainee. ‘It taught me a great deal about how to ensure customers always have a fully rounded experience,’ she said. She gained invaluable experience in a number of departments, including bridalwear, soft furnishings, leather accessories and menswear.

Alex stayed at the Knightsbridge store for three years, but knew London wasn’t her forever home. ‘The difference between my home county and London was startling, and I knew which appealed to me more,’ she said. ‘When I came back home to Yorkshire for a visit, I knew I wanted to stay.’

Having moved back to West Yorkshire to take up a busy  corporate sector role, mainly handling government contracts, Alex began seeking out creative outlets as a means of chilling out after a hectic day.