Jane Hardwick-Dawson
Managing Director of Candles Unlimited

Website Maintenance
Philip H Dawson JP

Company History

Jane’s family have a long history in retail. Established early in the 20th century as Hardwick’s, selling crockery from the same premises as the current Candles Unlimited Company. It was inherited by Jane’s great grandfather W A Hardwick who expanded the business to 7 town centre grocery and provision stores and grocery and provision wholesaler. When these were passed to Jane’s grandfather K A Hardwick, competition from supermarkets and national cash and carry chains made it impossible to compete and the small town centre shops were gradually closed as was the wholesale trade.

When Jane’s mother S J Hardwick-Dawson inherited the business she was left the original shop, now also a post office plus the warehouse building. The business had moved to selling greetings cards and confectionery. Jane took the reigns of this part of the business in 2000, expanding the greetings cards to include gifts and a range of decorative packaging. Jane also successfully introduced candles, fragrance products and office supplies. With the warehouse (Post Office Chambers) becoming available Jane created the web service Candles Unlimited for sales to the public via the web, plus a wholesale division supplying local (Staffordshire & West Midlands) businesses with smaller quantities than the manufacturers.

Philip Hardwick Dawson