The Yorkshire-based manufacturer and supplier of fragrance and wellbeing products CAHM opened a shop on October 5 at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, near Leeds.
Founded in 2020 in the middle of lockdown, CAHM is owned and run by Amy Hogarth. Her products are stocked in more than 100 gift shops and garden centres across the UK, from the Orkney Islands to Cornwall – with a new contract just signed to supply the upmarket grocery chain Booths. The range includes diffusers, candles, hand and body lotion, bath salts, and aromatherapy products.
Amy said: “This is a tremendously important step for us. Having started making candles during lockdown in my kitchen, the business grew swiftly. After moving to an industrial estate in Shipley, we were then given this fantastic opportunity to open a shop and manufacturing centre at the fabulous Sunny Bank Mills. This is the perfect base.
“CAHM incorporates my initials AH and reinforces our mission to spread a positive mental health message through beautiful design-led gifts”
“CAHM incorporates my initials AH and reinforces our mission to spread a positive mental health message through beautiful design-led gifts. Our sustainable products are handmade by a small team of dedicated and passionate people, ensuring the quality and design for which we have become known is retained.”
Amy’s varied career, primarily in corporate travel and hospitality, included a spell at the Savoy Hotel in London, where her customer-facing role saw her look after rock supergroups such as the Kings of Leon and the Rolling Stones.
She recalled: “I got stuck in the lift for half an hour with the Kings of Leon, which was very embarrassing as I’m a huge fan, and I had to tell the Rolling Stones that they couldn’t wear their trainers at the Savoy. They were charming and didn’t make a fuss.”
Amy studied human geography at the University of Leeds and when she was looking for help to launch and develop CAHM, she turned to the Help to Grow Management course at the University. She is among 250 small and medium-sized enterprises that have been helped on their journey by the government-funded course over the past two-and-a-half years.
She continued: “I’m also tremendously grateful to cousins William and John Gaunt, the co-owners and joint managing directors of Sunny Banks Mills, for providing such a special home for us. It is ideal. Sunny Bank Mills is a vibrant community and an amazing example of how to repurpose and revitalise an old textile mill.
“There are many like-minded businesses to CAHM at the Mills, and we are already working together with another occupier, Amity Brew Co, to promote our products. There is a real synergy to what we are both doing.”
Over the past 12 years Sunny Bank Mills – one of the most famous family-owned mills in Yorkshire – has been transformed into a modern office and mixed-use complex, with more than 100 diverse companies on site.
William commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Amy. Her business is already thriving and we trust it will continue to flourish here. Her dedication and passion are a joy, and we are proud to be part of her exciting journey.”
John added: “CAHM is a tremendous addition to the diverse range of businesses we have at Sunny Bank Mills. From a vinyl record shop, a jeweller, a brewery and a gin specialist, to a cheesemonger and interior designer, we have a wonderful array of tenants who are all driven by the pursuit of excellence within our creative environment.”
Amy is supported in her business by her partner Phil Dawkes, the former BBC sports journalist.
