A FRAGRANCE company is set to begin a £1million project as it branches out into a new sector.

Wax Lyrical, based in Lindal-in-Furness, is known for its sweet smelling candles, reed diffusers and other home fragrances, but stepped up to manufacture hand and surface sanitiser to supply frontline workers.

The company is set to enter the personal care sector in spring 2021 and will be launching its own hand wash, lotion, and body wash.

The fragrance experts have been monitoring the personal care sector for some time with the intention of launching its own range.

Wax Lyrical’s parent company Portmeirion Group is investing approximately £1 million in the development of a personal care plant annexed to its existing site in Cumbria, which is due to be completed by early 2021.

The investment and extended facilities at the Cumbria factory will be used to support growth of personal care manufacturing operations.

The UK’s largest home fragrance company has been commended by the government on its agility during the coronavirus crisis - moving from planning to production and making its first delivery to the NHS within 10 days.

The sanitisers benefited local hospitals, care homes and pharmacies.

The swift call to action resulted in the company listed amongst 80 UK businesses mentioning in the ‘GREAT Inspirations’ campaign.

The Cumbria factory has been working relentlessly to meet the national demand for sanitiser, with more than 1 million units distributed to trusts, health authorities and retail in the first three months of production.

Jacqui Gale said: “Whilst this wasn’t how we expected to mark out 40 years in business it has been monumental nonetheless.

“There’s been a great sense of pride from the whole team to be able to support the country at this time.

“The extension to our site in Cumbria reflects the ambition for the brand which is exporting British-made home fragrances globally, with new territories in the pipeline for 2021.”