A NEW business has enjoyed a successful first week in Chard, despite the town being in lockdown.

Willows Natural opened in Holyrood Street last Monday (June 8) offering cosmetics, candles and CBD.

The business is being run by Scott and Jade Thompson, from Burrow Bridge.

CBD, or cannabidiol, comes from the cannabis plant but does not contain the psychoactive ingredient THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

It is legal and often used for pain relief.

Jade said: “We actually started using it ourselves first. After having our second child I had to have a spinal block which unfortunately left me with terrible back pain and sciatica.

“We had heard of CBD through friends and decided to use it ourselves. So after doing a lot of research and finding a reliable and genuine supplier, we got some CBD isolate.

“With no way of getting it to the desired area, as CBD isolate is a powder, Scott researched how to make balms.

“He has always been very much into making his own items, from woodwork to cosmetics.

“It worked absolute wonders and we gave it to friends and family. They loved it just as much.

“With so many people not hearing about CBD or able to get it at a reasonable price or from a genuine supplier we decided to turn this into a business.”

Scott has been making his own products for around two years.

Before he could see them, each product had to be sent away to be professionally lab tested, and has been approved as safe and given a best before date.

Scott said: “Every day has been getting busier.

“A lot of people said they are really happy to have a shop in town that isn’t a charity shop, and that offers something a little bit different.”

Jade also makes the candles sold in Willows Natural, and has been bringing in new scents based on customers’ requests.

The shop opened with a breakfast bar where Scott hoped to serve teas, but social distancing guidelines mean that hasn’t been possible.

Instead the pair are going to use the space to expand their stock selection, with a number of items proving unexpectedly popular.

For more information, visit willowsnatural.com.