A HUSBAND and wife team behind North Yorkshire’s first dedicated CBD shop plan to open three more stores in the next 12 months.

Philip and Lisa James opened Hemp Well Ltd in High Petergate, York, in April, offering a range of CBD products which research suggests could help with common physical and mental health issues, including anxiety, stress, insomnia, chronic pain and arthritis.

The new business currently employs six full-time staff members, and is expected to be the first of several high street ventures across Yorkshire in 2021.

York Press:

Philip James, director of Hemp Well Limited, outside the new shop in High Petergate in York.

CBD (cannabidiol) is a type of cannabinoid derived directly from hemp plants which can be used as a food supplement and does not create a ‘high effect’ or any form of intoxication.

The products, manufactured at York Science Park, include CBD oil tinctures, capsules, gummies, chocolates, topical creams and spa products.

Philip and Lisa who moved to York with their young family several years ago established Hemp Well in 2017 and began selling online in 2018.

Philip became involved in the CBD industry during his time in corporate finance. Having taken CBD himself to ease chronic pain in his knee, he decided to set up a business to manufacture high-quality, affordable products in the UK.

As well as having offices and a laboratory at York Science Park, Philip has 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.

He said the launch of their first store in York was the culmination of hard work behind the scenes growing, researching and developing the products.

York Press:

“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 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.”

The CBD used by Hemp Well originates from Hemp plants organically grown across 300 acres in Bulgaria by local company Natural Science, where Philip is also the CEO. Once the plants are harvested, they are processed in Poland before entering the UK as pure CBD.

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.