West Midlands-Inspired Scented Candles Created by Local Couple

Paul Briggs and Viki Smith, a couple from Willenhall, have established a company named Dark Foundry No. 8, which produces candles intended to evoke the scents of various locations across the West Midlands. Their product range includes candles that honor specific West Midlands landmarks and industries, such as Digbeth’s former custard factory, Walsall’s historic saddle-making trade, and the natural fragrance of Cannock Chase. Mr. Briggs acknowledged that not all West Midlands scents would be suitable for a home environment. He mentioned that his preferred candle commemorates Birmingham City FC, noting that its “masculine” aroma aims to capture the spirit of St Andrew’s stadium, distinct from a typical matchday experience. Mr. Briggs stated, “We didn’t really want to make one of our candles smell like Pukka Pies and a cup of Bovril.” According to the couple, the fragrances of their other candles align more closely with their intended inspirations. Ms. Smith indicated that one particular candle successfully embodies the character of Cannock Chase, a scenic location in Staffordshire. She elaborated, “We always take our dog there. It’s not just trees. It’s like even in the summer, it smells wet… damp, salty, but clean.” Another candle in their collection bears the name of Digbeth, a district in Birmingham renowned for the Custard Factory. Mr. Briggs explained, “The vanilla scent candle is to do with the old Birds Custard factory, we wanted to keep the candle names classy and when creating it I first called it Digbeth Bird.” He added, “My partner Viki was like ‘that’s not classy, why not call it Lady Digbeth’.” Mr. Briggs, a supporter of Walsall, further mentioned that “The Saddler,” another candle from their company, features a smoky leather scent, symbolizing the region’s legacy in saddle-making. The creators are receptive to new concepts and encourage residents of the region to submit their own scent suggestions.