Arran Candle Company wins Business of the Year Award

Arran Candle Company, founded by Daniel and Vik Steel, received the accolade following a year of significant growth and community impact, including the launch of the Arran Design Collective -an initiative that helps local creatives overcome the challenges of running a business on a small island.

Launched last year, the Arran Design Collective brings together more than 10 local makers, from jewellery designers and ceramicists to artists and knitwear producers, under one shared retail space and brand. The project provides participants with access to physical retail space, as well as marketing and digital support to help them reach residents and the island’s strong visitor market.

The collective addresses the issues of small businesses not having retail space or access to a wide market by pooling resources and creating a unified platform that allows independent makers to grow sustainably while maintaining their individuality.

Daniel Steel, co-founder of Arran Candle Company, said: “We’re incredibly proud to receive this award, but what makes it really special is that it reflects something bigger than our own business. The Arran Design Collective was created to support other makers on the island: people doing amazing work who just need the right platform to reach customers. Seeing that community come together and thrive has been hugely rewarding.”

The initiative is already making a measurable impact by helping to keep more spending within the island economy, strengthening local supply chains, and creating new opportunities for collaboration between small businesses. It also aligns with North Ayrshire’s Community Wealth Building ambitions by supporting local enterprise and fostering economic growth.