Couple Leigh-Anne and Gerhard Horn, founded The Norwich Soap Company in 2021.

At their micro soapery they make pure, mild, all-natural, artisan soaps, worthy of any spa.

Their best-selling soap, No 7 Rose Geranium, Lemon and Bergamot, is one of 23 made by the duo, and smells utterly divine.

Gerhard and Leigh-Anne of the Norwich Soap Company. Photo: contributed by Plain Speaking PR Their commitment to making high-quality, beautiful soaps has won a loyal customer base, both locally and beyond. And with the backing of one of Norfolk’s most prestigious retail brands they're aiming to take them nationwide

The Norwich Soap Company story began during lockdown. Leigh-Anne and Gerhard had moved to Norwich from South Africa with exciting plans to travel, which was curtailed by Covid.

Sightseeing plans on hold, Leigh-Anne and Gerhard used their time to make soaps at home. And together, they refined their recipe, to create a luxurious, nourishing product which was perfect for daily use.

Launching in Norwich, they set out selling their signature bars at craft fairs and farmers' markets, and, for a while, opened a Norwich shop. But the couple soon realised that the future of the business was wholesale. In 2024, they aimed to boost production while staying true to their handcrafted roots. And they saw an opportunity to apply for the Jarrolds Growth Fund.

A selection of the Norwich Soap Company's products. Photo: contributed by Plain Speaking PR The scheme was launched to give independent, local businesses, from established brands to micro businesses, the support they need to grow. An initial investment pot of £100,000 was released in March 2024 and 72 Norfolk businesses successfully applied.

The Norwich Soap Company has gone on to secure the National Trust as a customer, which now stocks their soaps in the gift shops at Blickling Hall and Sutton Hoo.

Like Jarrolds, it is a business with strong family connections.

Leigh-Anne explains: 'Gerhard’s family run their own cosmetics business in South Africa. Originally cheesemakers, they moved into cosmetics after realising the whey by-product held greater value, and used it to make soap, face cream, shampoo and conditioner. Two decades later, they are still in business and support us as overseas mentors.

'When we moved to the UK, our dream was to travel. But then lockdown led us down a completely different path, and our homegrown business grew into our passion.

'Making cold-processed soaps at the kitchen table, we became obsessed with creating something really special. We wanted to produce a pure, gentle, natural product, using only local ingredients from Norfolk, including Crush Foods and Yare Valley rapeseed oil,........

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