Maldon Nub News aims to be supportive to EVERY element of the community from business and shops to people and charities and clubs and sports organisations.

Everyone is finding it tough at the moment and wants life to get back to normal.

We will be profiling some of these local businesses and groups regularly over coming weeks in a feature called UP CLOSE IN MALDON in the hope that we can be a supportive springboard for your full return to business as usual.

Today we talk to Rachel Holland, owner of Miss Rachel Holland Luxury Home Fragrances, opening in Maldon this week. During an in-depth Q and A session Rachel reveals why she is setting up business in Maldon as well as what she loves about the town's community and her gratitude for its support during the current crisis.

WHEN Maldon Nub News found Rachel Holland she was standing in the workshop section of her new shop, surrounded by an array of candles, jars and liquid-filled bottles as she created more products for when she opens.

The opening date and time is now confirmed – 10am on Wednesday, 28 October, so there's no time to waste in getting prepared.

"Every scented product I sell has been handmade," she says, as she surveys row upon row of candles on her worktop.

It is immediately clear that Rachel takes a pride in everything she sells and that she loves what she does.

Rachel, 43, says: "It started out as a hobby about 25 years ago and as time went on, it became an obsession. I don't use paraffin in my products as some manufacturers do. I just won't work with it because it's not good for you. I use soy, which is a natural product."

But the owner of Miss Rachel Holland, Luxury Home Fragrances, the newest town centre trader on the block, hasn't always been lucky enough to do a job she loves. In fact, this is her first shop after spending her whole working life in the City.

She says: "Every day I got up and got on that train. I have spent years trying to fit in and be what others wanted me to be."

Then Rachel had an illness which, whilst not life-threatening, made her re-evaluate what was important to her.

"It really made me think about my life and what I was doing."

And so it was that in May, 2019, she launched her own online candle and scented products business.

When the pandemic and lockdown came, it changed everything for Rachel – and now she counts herself extremely lucky.

"Lockdown was such a terrible thing for a lot of people, I know that," she says, "but for me it turned out to be an absolute springboard. Suddenly people wanted indoor scents and with my whole business being online, things really took off. I would be working from home on my laptop all day, then staying up until 3am making more candles.

"In the end, they were everywhere," Rachel laughs, "my whole house was full of them and when I asked my daughter, Paige, if I could store some in her bedroom, she made me realise that enough was enough."

Post-lockdown Rachel decided to take on the retail space that was the former Maldon Tourist Centre in Wenlock Way, off the High Street, and create something a little bit different. The workshop will be fully visible to the public, with a sectioned off retail area where customers can select products.

"Customers can bring in empty candle jars if they want," she says, "and I will refill them with the scented wax of their choice."

Every scent is safety-tested and assured with a CLP label – the scents have to be sent off and tested to get this. Now Rachel has a selection of fragrances available ranging from the more traditional floral and herbal scents through to well-known designer perfumes.

As for Rachel's feelings on Maldon and its community, she has strong feelings and clear thoughts.

"I moved from Hornchurch to Maldon in 2012 and I think that it's when you've lived somewhere else that you truly realise what an amazing place Maldon is. I used to come here as a little girl and I always loved it.

"So when Paige got to a certain age and I wanted to be sure she would carry on growing up in a safe place, Maldon is where I chose to come. What I've noticed here is that when people ask you how you are, they really care and they do what they can to help you.

"I love Maldon and of course it's the place I want my business."