WIRRAL based candle-makers Owen Drew celebrated its third birthday last weekend with a party at its flagship store in Birkenhead.

Wallasey born entrepreneur Drew Cockton started the firm in August 2016 after seeing a gap in the market for quality candles made from all-natural ingredients.

He told the Globe: "I hated the soot and black smoke that mass-produced candles gave off - so I started making my own!"

Drew then set about selling his handmade products at craft fayres and through social media before launching his e-commerce business in October 2016.

After a busy Christmas season, Drew decided to leave his job in financial services to focus all of his efforts on Owen Drew.

He added: "It was a big risk to leave a stable job and stable income.

"The home fragrance market is a tough business to crack with a lot of very big players, backed by a lot of money.

"There has also been an explosion of similar micro-businesses without the overheads and costs we have."

In Summer 2017, Drew's partner Mike also left his role in banking to join the business and the pair have grown the business scooping up a host of prestigious awards.

However Drew says it hasn't all been 'plain sailing' and that the pressure of Brexit has been looming.

He said: "The pressures of Brexit have been huge, especially on the value of the pound.

"Since our candles are made from soy wax, which is imported, the main ingredient in our candles has increased in price massively.

"We're very proud to not just survive but continue to grow."

The brand has seen a very busy start to 2019 with the release of a perfume and two ladies lunches which raised more than £10,000 for charity.

Wirral Globe:

While customers can now get their hands on luxury embroidered Owen Drew towels, soaps and soon to be released bathrobes.

Drew told the Globe: "We wanted to celebrate our achievements in the past three years.

"As well as thank our customers and followers for their support and loyalty. Without them, we couldn't have done any of it."

Owen Drew's flagship store and workshop - where all products are individually handmade - is based at Wirral Point, 132 Claughton Road, CH41 6EY.