The first dedicated CBD store in North Yorkshire opened its doors in York this month. Hemp Well Limited, based on High Petergate, offers a range of CBD products which research suggests could help with a range of common physical and mental health issues, including anxiety, stress, insomnia, chronic pain and arthritis.
The products, manufactured at York Science Park, include a range of CBD oil tinctures, capsules, gummies, chocolates, topical creams for the face and body and an assortment of spa products such as soaps and candles. The business currently employs six full time members of staff and has plans to open three more stores across Yorkshire in the next 12 months.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a type of cannabinoid derived directly from Hemp plants. It can be used as a food supplement and does not create a “high effect” or any form of intoxication.
Owned by husband and wife team Philip and Lisa James, Hemp Well Limited was established in 2017 and began selling its products online in 2018. Philip became involved in the CBD industry during his time in corporate finance and, having taken CBD himself to ease chronic pain in his knee, decided to set up a business to manufacture high quality, affordable products in the UK.
York has proven to be an excellent base for the business thanks to its world-leading science community. As well as having offices and a laboratory at York Science Park, Philip has also worked with the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE) at the University of York on a research project into the extraction processes of CBD from Hemp plants.
Philip James, director, said: “We are delighted to have finally opened our first store in York which is the culmination of lots of hard work behind the scenes growing, researching and developing the products. Having relocated to York with our young family several years ago, we have been incredibly fortunate to be able to tap into the science community based here in the city and are hugely grateful for their support. It is great to finally be able to meet our customers in person having operated solely online for the past two years. A lot of people are very curious about the benefits of CBD and the store now means they can come along and chat to myself or Lisa and ask us anything they need to know.
Research suggests Hemp Well’s CBD products can help with a variety of different issues however, many of our customers in the last week have talked about their anxiety and stress related worries in particular. I think this is something which is only going to continue to grow as we come out of the coronavirus pandemic and the store now gives us the opportunity to educate people about the potential benefits of CBD and share our expertise and experiences with them.”
In addition to their online and retail customers, Hemp Well is now stocking its products in other health and wellness shops across Yorkshire and they also provide a contract manufacturing service for other CBD brands.
CBD has already been proven to be effective as a treatment for some forms of epilepsy. There are currently 30 clinical trials being undertaken in the UK and Europe to evaluate the clinical potential of CBD for specific conditions including various mental health issues, chronic pain management for symptoms such as osteoarthritis and degenerative brain disorders among others.
