Tara GreavesA 10-minute taxi ride across Norwich led to a partnership which has taken an online eco products business from humble beginnings in a spare bedroom to a warehouse, employing five staff.Tara Greaves

A 10-minute taxi ride across Norwich led to a partnership which has taken an online eco products business from humble beginnings in a spare bedroom to a warehouse, employing five staff.

Wayne Crowe was working as a taxi driver, while also running his own online beauty products firm, when he picked up Rob Webb, 28, taking him from Catton back to his home in the North City.

'I always used to talk to my customers, I suppose I saw it as a networking opportunity and several business proposals have come out of it but when I met Rob we just clicked,' said Mr Crowe, 29.

The father of one, who also lives in North City, said after they teamed up they began working from their bedrooms but soon needed more space so moved to an office above Olives in Elm Hill.

'We then found we needed even more space so we moved to the warehouse in St Mary's Works in the city centre in January last year,' added Mr Crowe.

They now have a full time warehouse manager and two apprentices from City College, Norwich.

'I always knew the online business was what I wanted to do and I was working as a taxi driver as a stop gap, which paid off,' he said.

'Everything is a risk but Rob and I are in the same mind in that if you are prepared to work hard you can accomplish almost anything.'

They now feature well known eco brands from local suppliers together with some just coming into the market.

Best sellers include Ecoballs, which are an alternative to traditional laundry tablets, and the Moonlight Night Light, a subtle light source costing less than 50p a year in energy.

'I think a product called Herbatint, a hair dye range, is also going to be a big seller,' said Mr Crowe, who added that they reuse all of the packaging that comes in to them to be as green as possible.

To visit the store, go to www.ecogreenstore.co.uk.