A business founded during the Covid lockdown has a new home on the high street.

Silktown Soap Company will soon be opening its doors at Dukes Court.

Teaching assistant Julie Dawn Brocklehurst started the company in 2021, during her scheduled time off as a key worker.

Macclesfield born-and-bred Julie said: "I would use this down time to be creative.

"Having sensitive skin at the time and being a slave to one brand of skincare, I became curious about the ingredients in the soap bar I used every day.

"I'd dabbled with soap making when I was younger in my mum's kitchen and decided that I would give it another go.

"I bought a couple of kits online and followed the instructions, creating two blocks of garish, crumbly uninspiring soap.

"I decided I could do it better myself in a more natural way. I spent months researching, creating and testing and then took a leap of faith and got my soaps assessed and certified and created a website and went live!"

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The shop at Dukes Court is expected to be up and running by the end of the month (Credit: Silktown Soap Company)

Silktown Soap Company has enjoyed steady growth since then and is now stocked in four local National Trust properties, as well as several locations around Macclesfield.

When Julie saw the advert for Dukes Court unit, she felt it was a 'perfect opportunity' to introduce the brand to even more people.

"I am very excited about this new chapter for Silktown Soap Company," she said.

"Although the shop is small, customers can come along and see the range of soaps, skincare and haircare on offer and pick them up and smell them to experience the difference with handmade vegan soaps.

"There will not be any sparkly sprinkles or glow in the dark options, just natural soaps and products made with plant oils, botanicals and clays.

"The atmosphere will be calming, focusing on the natural beauty and simplicity of the products - all vegan, no artificial colour or scent - (a bit like lush but better!).

"The shop will smell amazing as the scent of the soaps really is incredible and because each and every product is made by myself in small batches, customers can expect a quality handmade product."

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Julie is hoping to be open in time for the next Treacle Market, on July 27.