18 fantastic businesses and shops working hard in the community

WARRINGTON is full of small, independent businesses and shops.

Our Business of the Week features give owners and managers the chance to shine a spotlight on their business and showcase their products.

In 2023, we’ve heard from 18 Warrington business owners and they’ve shared their career journeys, passion for their work and their hopes for 2024.

If you would like to appear in one of our Business of the Week features, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

Edge Eyewear

Edge Eyewear

From a degree in maths to working as a computer programmer to studying optometry at university – Graham Weir is now a small business owner with his sight set on success.

Edge Eyewear opened in Warrington Market 18 months ago in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Graham has worked hard to build up a patient and client base securing five star reviews for his services.

He tells us about the revolutionary new products he has to offer including contact lenses that you sleep in, which change the shape of your eye so you don’t need to wear glasses or contact lenses the following day.

Keira's Kids Costumes

Keira’s Kids Costumes

Have you ever had a last minute panic the night before your child’s dress up day at school?

Do you wish you didn’t have to buy a new costume every time World Book Day or Halloween comes round?

Keira’s Kids Costumes is your one stop shop for Disney dresses, superhero suits and character clothes.

Based in Great Sankey, Keira Owen opened her business almost three years ago and with more than 300 costumes and over 1,000 followers, she’s seen an increase in demand for those picture perfect outfit.

FitNest

FitNest

Have you made any New Year’s resolutions for 2023?

New year, new you? Exercise more and eat less?

Jemma Burns started FitNest almost two years ago having grown up in Warrington – Burtonwood and Great Sankey – before moving back to the town at the age of 18 having lived in Australia for five years.

Jemma provides fun fitness classes and packages for people of all ages, sizes and abilities – fitness for the whole family.

She tells us why she decided to welcome children to her workout sessions and what a difference it makes for her clients.

The Physio Lounge

The Physio Lounge

With six clinics across the north west, The Physio Lounge has been making all the right moves in the business world over the past ten years.

Craig and Lorraine Lea try to improve the lives of their patients at their family-run physiotherapy company, which has its head office in Warrington and two other practices in the town – one at David Lloyd Warrington and one at United Utilities at Lingley Mere.

Clinical director Craig and operational director Lorraine tell us how they often meet clients at the start of their journey to recovery, supporting them as they strive to improve their quality of life.

EDR Landscape Management Solutions

EDR Landscape Management Solutions Ltd

Raising the profile of parks, open spaces and natural landscapes is no easy task but the man behind one Penketh business has got it all in hand.

David Ramsbottom is committed to getting people outside and enjoying the great outdoors.

David – owner of EDR Landscape Management Solutions Ltd – tells us why he started his own business ten years ago and why he wants to encourage people to enjoy their own outdoor spaces.

Meraki Woodcraft

Meraki Woodcraft

David Cross runs an artisan handcrafted furniture business in Great Sankey – Meraki Woodcraft Ltd.

He has spent the last 30 years working in the timber flooring industry but during Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns he decided to give it all up and change direction.

David tells us where the inspiration came from for his growing business and how he hopes to take on new staff with a talent for the trade.

Event Cheshire

Event Cheshire

Emma Leanne Smith is a hopeless romantic who believes in happily ever after.

This is at the very heart of the beautiful floral displays she creates every day for weddings and christenings, parties and festivals up and down the country.

Event Cheshire was born in 2019 and Emma has spent the past four years fine tuning her skills to produce Instagram-worthy and Pinterest-worthy masterpieces.

Emma tells us why she didn’t want to go back to her job in the corporate sector after having a baby and how much she enjoys helping customers achieve their floral goals.

The Fox Studios

The Fox Studios

Heather Fox is looking forward to celebrating the fifth anniversary of her jewellery business and making plans for a creative hub at Evans House.

The Fox Studios opened in July 2018 and has moved around over the past five years before returning to the Norman Street venue.

Heather tells us how it all began 23 years ago with an evening course learning how to make jewellery and how it’s come full circle and she is now teaching people herself.

Direct Garden Structures

Direct Garden Structures

Gardens are an extension of the home and many people spend hours each week enjoying the great outdoors in the space behind – or in front – of their home.

Direct Garden Structures has spent the past 16 years making customers feel at home in their gardens, erecting pergolas and gazebos, garden rooms and garden structures.

Owner Mark Stamper tells us about the bespoke family-run business, which operates locally and nationwide and how the Covid-19 pandemic led to an influx of enquiries.

Jo Jingles and Fran

Jo Jingles Warrington, Wigan and St Helens

Fran Harrop has been entertaining babies, toddlers and their parents for nearly three decades with the help of Jo Jingles.

She’s even got customers returning to her classes with the smallest members of their families having sung and danced with Fran during their own formative years.

Fran tells us how the classes help babies’ and toddlers’ development, fostering a lifelong love of music, song and dance.

Aidan Brown Fitness

Aidan Brown Fitness

Fitness instructor Aidan Brown has spent the past 25 years living in Warrington dreaming of running a successful fitness business.

Following a recent move to Dubai, the former Padgate High School student is an online personal trainer and coach helping clients achieve their fitness goals.

He claims to be “ the best coach since sliced bread” at helping male clients achieve their dream bodies.

Here, in our latest Business of the Week feature, Aidan tells us how he has built his business over the past three years and why he believes direct communication and developing friendships is crucial to getting top results.

HanMade for Kids

HanMade for Kids

Hannah Austin started her own business two years ago after being on maternity leave with her second child.

She wanted to go back to work but needed to be doing something she felt passionately about and that would make a difference.

HanMade for Kids was born – a business selling bespoke, personalised items for children and by children.

Hannah tells us what inspired her to start her own business and why so many of her customers have become friends.

Turtle Tots

Turtle Tots North Cheshire

Hannah Baird has spent most of her life in the water – swimming for Warrington Warriors and then teaching babies and children to swim.

With classes in Whitley at Whitley Village Hall, Turtle Tots North Cheshire teaches essential life-saving lessons to babies from birth while having fun in the water.

Hannah tells her journey to owning a successful business and what her professional goals are for 2024.

Molly Blooms The Florist

Molly Blooms The Florist

Paula Carroll opened Molly Bloom The Florist on Honiton Square 10 years ago and business is definitely blossoming.

It quickly outgrew the premises and Paula moved to another Penketh location before occupying a double unit on Maple Crescent.

Paula, who runs the florist business with daughter Morgan, tells us how flowers brought smiles to people’s faces during days in the Covid-19 pandemic and how they will always go the extra mile to fulfil people’s floral orders.

Tumble Tots

Tumble Tots Warrington

Carolyn Gillibrand has been keeping babies, toddlers and small children active for the past 16 years.

She is now welcoming families back to Tumble Tots Warrington classes where parents have enjoyed the activities when they were younger and are returning with children of their own.

The Tumble Tots family is always growing!

Carolyn tells us what it’s been like running Tumble Tots Warrington for the past 16 years and their plans to celebrate the parent company’s 45th anniversary next year.

Vicky Loftas at Fitmums

Fitmums

Vicky Loftas started as personal trainer in 2011 and launched Fitmums five years ago.

She has classes across Warrington and now has customers and clients around the world thanks to her online fitness classes.

Vicky tells us about the Fitmums fitness family, why she loves her job and her plans to open a fitness retreat in Turkey next year.

DK Building

DK Building

Daniel Kozinski established DK Building in 2005 as a sole trader one man band.

It’s now a well respected team of professionals working to the highest standards with customer satisfaction as their top priority.

Daniel tells us how the business has evolved over the past 18 years, why he wanted to extend into Warrington and Wirral and why satisfied customers never hesitate to recommend DK Building to family and friends.

Les Petits Pois Fun French

Les Petits Pois Fun French

Andrea Baker has been sharing her love for the French language since she left school.

Hundreds of children and their families in Warrington, St Helens and Wigan have learnt to speak a second language thanks to her fun French classes for babies, toddlers and pre schoolers and during lockdown she was inspiring people living on the other side of the world to learn a foreign language.

Andrea tells us how she launched Les Petits Pois Fun French eight years ago and why learning a second language is so important, especially at a young age.

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