The winners of a new start-up scheme, aimed at encouraging entrepreneurs, will be launching their product ranges at Blenheim Palace from August Bank Holiday Monday. Items will be stocked in the Palace’s main retail area, the East Courtyard Shop.
The two winners were: designer and artist Kathryn Croxson, who creates fashion accessories and homeware that includes silk chiffon scarves, leather bags, mugs and limited edition kimonos in her signature bold print, and Neve’s Bees, founded by ‘Queen Bee’ Julie Macken, who produces 100% natural beeswax skincare products, to include lip balms and hand salves, using beeswax from her bees in West Oxfordshire.
“We are thrilled to be stocking the new collections from this great scheme,” commented Blenheim Palace’s head of retail Judy Bendall. “Both Kathryn Croxson’s accessories and Neve’s Bees products fit extremely well within our retail offering. Blenheim Palace receives almost 1 million visitors per year, meaning great exposure for these two local businesses.”
As part of their prize, Julie and Kathryn will also be receiving support with marketing, profiling and ongoing advice from business mentors. In addition, both companies will also work with the teams at Blenheim Palace to create new bespoke ranges for the East Courtyard Shop.
Fighting off tough competition, Kathryn Croxson and Neve’s Bees were chosen from 55 applicants, as well as eight competitive pitches to Blenheim’s senior management.
Top: Queen Bee Julie Macken is shown with her winning product range Neve’s Bees outside Blenheim Palace.
