A natural hair product inspired by a three-year-old girl and developed and manufactured in the North West of England has been officially launched onto the global market.

FYC (For Your Curls) is a natural hair product range specially designed for mixed race and curly hair and is looking to take a slice of a haircare market worth £1.72bn in the UK alone.

Rob Binns, co-founder of the Preston-based business, began working on the range with his business partners Bradley Lincoln and Mike Peters after failing to find the right kind of hair product for his three year-old-daughter Lydia.

Rob is also managing director of Cotton Court in Preston. WNJ advised him during the creation of the business centre and continues to provide ongoing support for the growing venture.

Speaking about his latest business, Rob said: “We’ve got a little girl aged three with frizzy, curly hair and we couldn’t find any products that worked for her that didn’t contain harsh chemicals. So, together with Brad and Mike, we set about creating them.

“Having seen first-hand what a ‘problem’ curly hair can be, there are so many textures, so many differences and so many options, we wanted to develop a product range to help ‘curlies’ live with and love their hair. Lydia certainly loves it!”

He added: “We are really excited about FYC’s potential. We feel we’ve found a genuine gap in the market, a hair care product that is natural and meets a real need.

“The sales potential for FYC is massive and not just in the UK. Our aim is to build and develop a strong British brand that can make a real impact.

“We’ve got ambitious marketing and sales development plans and a strong and enthused team around us. We’ve set ourselves ambitious but very realistic targets for growth.”

FYC is vegan and made from naturally derived ingredients including shea butter, organic aloe vera, olive oil and argan oil. It contains no silicones, sulphates or parabens. It is also gender neutral.

It has taken 24 months from the initial concept to the launch of the brand.

FYC has based its manufacturing and sales operations in Lancashire. An online sales platform has been created, working with Preston-based e-commerce specialists EKM.

The products are being made by a specialised, award-winning contract manufacturer in the region.

Gin is proving a real tonic for a popular Lancashire hotel as it looks to emerge strongly from the coronavirus pandemic and attract visitors from across the UK.

The family-run Whitehall Hotel in Darwen is currently converting its restaurant into a gin distillery and bar as part of its development plans.

Primarily a venue for weddings and events, the popular hotel has been run by Neil and Tracy Bullows since 2003, with WNJ providing support and advice to the couple.

During this latest lockdown, work is continuing to convert its former restaurant area into the distillery, with a bar and seating area, and a space for gin-making classes to take place.

Once completed, the Whitehall will also be able to offer dishes from its ‘ginstronomy’ menu, which will match botanicals with food from regional suppliers.

Paul Sheerin, who owns Defiance Spirits based in Oldham, and who is a friend of Neil’s, is assisting in the plan, which will help expand the drinks brand, which includes a range of gins and rums.

And a special premium London gin is being developed by Paul and Neil as part of the overall project.

The Whitehall has been an institution in the area for more than 50 years, but in common with many other businesses within the hospitality sector, it has been significantly impacted by the pandemic.

The gin project is an example of how businesses are creatively looking to emerge stronger from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Neil says: “The one thing that the Whitehall has always been able to count on is the support of the local community, which was never any more evident during the recent Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

“I thought if we could further build on that business by attracting customers from outside of the area, the Whitehall will stand the test of time.”

“We’re hard at work creating something very special and we believe we’re the only hotel outside London to have its own gin distillery. These are really exciting times for the business.”

A majestic Victorian manor house lovingly transformed into a traditional country house hotel, The Whitehall dates back to 1898.

It enjoys many period features from the sandstone frontage to its panelled sweeping staircase and is perfectly situated for visitors wishing to explore the West Pennine Moors.

Defiance gin, was voted the best in the world at this year’s prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Up against more than 3,000 entries, Defiance Navy Strength won the ‘Best in Show, Unaged White Spirit’ category.

• To discuss how WNJ can help support your business please contact me on 01772 430000.

Two well-established metalwork, engineering and fabrication businesses have come together in a new joint venture that is set to open up new markets and opportunities.

WNJ played a key role in advising both Coppull-based Morgan Bros (Metalwork Solutions) and J L Engineering (Rixton) in agreeing a joint venture arrangement. Morgan Bros is a third-generation family business that has grown to become one of the UK’s market leaders in architectural metalwork. It specialised in all aspects of architectural metalwork, glass, powder coating and laser cutting.

JL Engineering (JLE) has been providing engineering solutions and project management services for almost 40 years. It has extensive expertise in the rail sector, with full manufacturing facilities at its Warrington operation. Together, the two businesses employ almost 50 people. The JV is looking to double the size of the operation and its turnover over the next two years.

Morgan Bros managing director’s Paul and Tom Morgan said: “These are exciting times for us. The JV opens up lots of opportunities.
“We’re a leading architectural metalwork specialist, known in the industry for our work with stainless steel and glass.
“JLE has extensive expertise in the rail sector and in heavier engineering and fabrication
“Together, working as a JV we can do more; it increases our capacity and ability to pitch for more work. We’re looking to grow and advance in the rail sector for instance. It is a great fit.”

As part of the new structure JLE has moved its headquarters to Coppull. Tom says: “The idea of the JV was first mooted by WNJ and the practice has worked closely with us along every stage of the deal, providing invaluable support and advice to us.

“We’re now looking forward to working with the WNJ team on our growth and expansion journey. We’re hitting the ground running.”
John Saxon, sales director at JLE, says: “This is a great move for the company and we also believe there are exciting times ahead.
“We have already set out our growth plans for the coming months. Bringing the expertise of the two businesses together makes us all much stronger and gives some great opportunities.”

Whalley-based family jeweller Sarah Layton has received national recognition for its sparkling offering to its customers. The business was named “Multi-Brand/Fashion Jewellery Retailer of the Year” at the Retail Jeweller UK Jewellery Awards (UKJA).

Pictured here is Gethin Jones (left) who hosted the event handing out the award with Chloe Moss (far right), founder of ChloBo. Lauren Bottomley and Leanne Rogers (directors of Sarah Layton) are accepting the award (centre).

The jeweller underwent an in-depth judging process which included several visits from mystery shoppers. Their results were reviewed by a panel of 26 judges from across the industry. The awards are known as the “Oscars” of the jewellery trade and as Ruth Faulkner, editor of Retail Jeweller magazine, said: “Our rigorous judging process ensures that winning one of these awards means you are the very best at what you do.”

Leanne Rogers, co-founder of Sarah Layton, which is now in its ninth year of business, is delighted at the industry recognition and has praised the staff at the store.
She said: “As an independent retailer it means so much to us to know that the hard work we do is being recognised.
“From finding new brands to work with to making sure our customers receive the very best service possible, the team at Sarah Layton have really done us proud!”

The judges were also full of praise for the business, which they said, “showed heart, soul and likeable business personality, keeping its own identity front and centre, while still successfully retailing many big-name jewellery brands”.

Sarah Layton beat off competition from well-respected retailers including John Lewis, Argento Jewellery, Jewella and Rubirox, to lift the award at a glittering ceremony.

WNJ is delighted to be associated with any business that strives for excellence in quality merchandise and service. In times when the retail sector is often reported as struggling to survive on the High Street it is encouraging to see how by sticking to core values and looking after the customer can still bring rewards to the independent retailer.