New Organic Wellbeing Brand Comes to Guildford

Published on: 6 Dec, 2018
Updated on: 10 Dec, 2018

The Mayor and Mayoress with Neom founders Nicola Elliott and Oliver Mennell.

By Alice Fowler

A new business was officially welcomed to Guildford High Street yesterday (Wednesday, November 5, 2018): the organic wellbeing brand Neom.

Opening the shop, the Mayor, Cllr Mike Parsons, said: “It always gives me great pleasure to buck the trend. Guildford is doing that in its High Street. Last year we increased footfall by 18%. I’m delighted to welcome another independent to the town.”

Neom’s founder, Nicola Elliott, who set up Neom 13 years ago, said she had waited several years for a suitable location in Guildford to come up. “We can see from our online activity that people in this area are interested in Neom. Guildford High Street has such a good mix of shops. The ecosystem of all the brands together really works.”

Goody bags for the first shoppers.

Neom is known for home fragrance, particularly candles, as well as bath and body products, skin care and perfume. All its fragrances are 100% natural. But with the likes of Jo Malone, Molton Brown, Penhaligons and Liz Earle already in the town, is there room for another skincare and fragrance brand?

“We are about wellbeing,” says Nicola Elliott. “You don’t come to Neom just to buy a nice smelling candle. You come because you’re interested in 100% natural products that have the power to change the way you feel. We can find your bespoke routine, give you extra advice and so on. That can’t be done online.”

The store, the brand’s fifth, will operate over three floors, with four treatments rooms and an event space opening early next year. “We’re talking about people’s stress levels and the quality of their sleep,” Ms Elliott adds. “We’re here to fly the flag for your wellbeing. Having the right retail space is very important for that.”