Spring Fair: Hall 4, Stand D72-E73

Home County Co. has come a very long way in seven years. And with stunning scented products that are as enchanting as their business story, this brand will be headline news at Spring Fair. Sarah Welsh spoke to founder Hannah Goundry…

It was back in early 2018 when Hannah and Oliver Goundry walked into a home and lifestyle store in their local Hertfordshire town and asked if they’d be interested in selling some of their candles.

Fast forward to 2025 and this highly successful entrepreneurial couple have gone on to take the American and Canadian gift markets by storm. But however big their business – Home County Co. – has grown, they have not lost the quintessentially British charm and artisan style production that made them what they are today.

Each luxury candle, reed diffuser and bath and body product is made by their small team at their converted farm base in Buckinghamshire. There are now candles inspired by 41 British counties in the core collection, with plans for more additions on the way, and an exciting new English Heritage licensed collection featuring four beautiful fragrances across a range of product lines. And Hannah says they can’t wait to showcase it all at Spring Fair.

She and Oli grew up in neighbouring counties, and it was the realisation that people’s attachments to where they come from can be incredibly strong that sparked the idea for a hugely successful gift business.

“I was driving to work one morning across a couple of county borders, when I started thinking about how where you come from sort of becomes part of your DNA,” Hannah explains. “When I got home I asked Oli what he thought a ‘Bedfordshire candle’ would smell like, and it all started from there.

“We bought a candle-making kit, and before you know it, were sourcing suppliers for wax and glass containers. A few weeks later we launched our website and within six months Oli had quit his job to work in the business full time. I was made redundant during the Covid lockdown, and we’ve never looked back.

“It’s only when I think back to memories of us cutting out gift tags for our earliest candles that I realise just how far we’ve come.”
Hannah and Oli, whose son Henry is 18 months old, now have a team of nine, with two based at the company’s shop, located in Stow-on-the-Wold in the picturesque Cotswolds.

In terms of trade customers, Hannah says they supply many garden centres – both independent and chains such as Squire’s, as well as gift shops and heritage attractions like National Trust locations. Home County Co. also take on commissions, having made candles for Chelsea FC and the Buckingham Palace shop and website.

In America Hannah says that they’ve really found a home with Stateside gift shops that have a love of all things British. It’s a specific but successful overseas niche for them.

In terms of trade shows, the brand’s hand-poured, vegan-friendly soy wax candles were a big hit at this year’s Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair. As were their soap bars, which – at a lower price point – are a great way for customers to familiarise themselves with the beautiful product portfolio.

“Going to Harrogate for the first time was a brilliant experience,” Hannah says. “We loved the show and every conversation we had was fruitful.

“In terms of Spring Fair, we’ve been going since February 2019. The NEC is a place where buyers are serious about doing business, and make quick decisions, which all means you take a lot of orders.

“We launched four new county fragrances recently – Edinburgh, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and the Isle of Wight – and there’s so much more to come. We keep being asked for a Nottinghamshire candle and we’d also like to expand our candles for Scotland and Wales as well.
“We’re thrilled Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair went so well for us, and we’re looking forward to Spring Fair and excited about our many plans to come.”

Call: 01442 502221
Email: wholesale@homecountyco.com
Visit www.homecountycotrade.com