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Get To Know Local Business

Shop Hartlepool Blog

Welcome to the Shop Hartlepool blog, a great place to find out more about the amazing businesses signed up to Shop Hartlepool.

We want to shout about Hartlepool’s success stories and introduce you to the new kids on the block. You’ll find behind the scenes articles about local businesses alongside regular updates and news from the Shop Hartlepool team. 

We are always looking for great stories, so if you want to to be featured, or know a business who would, get in touch using the button below.   

Soap & Soul

We were recently approached by Middleton Grange Shopping Centre Manager, Mark Rycraft to see if we could collaborate to support the local businesses who’ve made their home in the Market Hall. We jumped at the chance to shine a light on local businesses, allowing us to showcase more of what is on offer in the town. 

Throughout September, we will be featuring a selection of businesses located in the Market Hall. We personally visited the market stall holders to talk about their business and see first-hand what they have to offer. This week, we are featuring Melaine from Soap & Soul

Soap & Soul are a small family business offering a wide range of products, perfect for a personal treat or a thoughtful gift. The business started around 12 years ago, 11 of which have been spent in the Middleton Grange Market Hall. They’ve grown from strength to strength, having expanded their premises in the Market Hall 3 times over the years. 

They have a wide range of stock available, and there is something for everyone. They offer bath & body products, jewellery and home fragrance to name a few. You will be spoilt for choice when you stop by their business in Middleton Grange or visit their website. They even offer a free in-store collection when you order online meaning you can grab your must-haves and browse the rest of their stock when you pick up your order. A win, win if you ask us!

We spoke to owner Melanie about Soap and Soul, asking her a few questions so you could get to know the business a little better.

What was the inspiration behind your business?

The idea behind the business was to stock items we would use ourselves or would want to give as a gift. The business began when my children were small. Due to my disabilities, I couldn’t work full time for another company so I started my own business so that my children could have a parent to be proud of.

What is unique about your business?

We make our own bath and body products, our own wax melts, simmer granules and loads of other handmade items. Many of our products are fair trade or fairly traded and as ecologically friendly as possible. We are not plastic free due to cosmetic and clp regulations. But we do reuse or recycle everything we can and use recyclable or compostable plastic where possible.
 

What are your best selling products?

Our handmade wax melts and our alternative body jewellery are our best sellers. Our wax is strong and long lasting. Our body jewellery is good quality and we believe one of the biggest ranges in the North East.

What are your personal favourite products?
 
My favourite products are our crystals. We stock a wide range of those from small tumble stones to large geodes.
 

It is fantastic to hear how Soap and Soap have grown to offer such a diverse product range for their customers. You have to visit their stall in the Market Hall to truly appreciate their vast offering, you’ll be spoilt for choice! Like us, you might even get to see Melanie in action creating their unique, handmade bath & body products. 

Soap & Soul offer bath & body products starting from as little as £2.50 with some of their other ranges starting from as little as £1. They’ve made shopping local a personal, affordable experience and we can certainly see why their business has become so popular. Their conscious effort to remain eco-friendly is further evidence of their hard work to make their business the best it possibly can be for their customers.

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