A CAERNARFON man is putting the final preparations in place for the opening of his own candle shop in the town.

Aled Pritchard said it was “always a goal” of his to open a store in his hometown, and will realise that dream when he opens Canhwyllau Eryri Candles “around June 19”.

Mr Pritchard started making candles while at university around eight years ago, working from his kitchen to craft gifts for family and friends.

North Wales Chronicle: Some of the products on offer.Some of the products on offer. (Image: Submitted)

“The process of making candles, the different varieties of materials available to make the product and the positives and negatives for each raw material such as wax was very interesting to me,” Aled told the Chronicle.

“After a couple of years of trying different waxes I chose soy wax and was happy with the candles I was producing and was receiving compliments for them.”

Inspired by his natural talent for the craft, he started the business in 2017 from his home in Caernarfon, and soon started selling his products at markets in North Wales and London.

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The business built momentum, and in June 2021 Aled opened his own studio in Nantlle, Gwynedd as the business had outgrown the home production area.

The studio in Nantlle is part of the ‘Y Barics’ in the village, and is a converted old quarryman’s barracks for the Dorothea Quarry.

Mr Pritchard continued: “Since moving to the studio the business has grown and grown and by now my products are sold in markets, online and in several stockists around North Wales.

“Between 2020 and 2022 the products were featured in publications such as Vogue, Tatler and World of Interiors, which still seems surreal today.

“Opening a shop in my hometown of Caernarfon was always a goal of mine and when the shop on Palace Street became available it seemed like the perfect shop for this business.

“The response from the local people has been amazing since announcing the shop will be opening soon and I can’t thank everyone enough.

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“I can’t wait to bring my bilingual home fragrance product to the town of Caernarfon and to the amazing street that is Palace Street.”

Aled has expanded the business and now crafts wellbeing candles, wax melts and reed diffusers, which are sold all over the world.

All of the product are available with either a Welsh or English label, with Aled believing it is “important” to have the choice of language and be able to get high quality home fragrance products in Welsh.

Production will remain in Nantlle, and the shop, at 6A Stryd y Plas, is currently being decorated with plans to open around June 19.

The business’ website is www.cecandles.co.uk, its email address is cecandles@hotmail.com and it can also be found on Facebook and Instagram (@Eryricandles).