First look inside Royal Arcade's newest store

Plastic-free, vegan and organic makeup brand Juni & Co - the sister brand of award-winning Juni Cosmetics - opened in Unit 4 on Wednesday, August 10 with a soft launch.

But tomorrow, September 3, the store will officially open to the general public.

Skin therapist Louise Thomas-Minns with Suzanne and Madeleine White of Juni & Co in the Royal Arcade, Norwich (Image: Maya Derrick)

Madeleine White, who founded Juni & Co with mum Suzanne, said: "These three weeks have been better than I could've ever expected. Pre-sales have been good but what's been really lovely is the customers have come in and got exactly what they want.

"We started this without really understanding bricks and mortar retail.

Madeleine White, left, chief executive, and her mum, Suzanne, director, ahead of the official opening of their make-up business Juni & Co in the Royal Arcade. With them is Louise Thomas-Minns, who is selling her Louise Thomas skincare range in the shop (Image: Denise Bradley/Archant 2022)

"It was purely on what we thought was missing. It's very passion-driven, and these three weeks have shown how we've ticked a lot of the boxes.

"We were hand-picked by the Royal Arcade to fill this unit, it was hugely flattering. It just verifies what we're doing.

Madeleine White, chief executive, and her mum, Suzanne, director, ahead of the official opening of their make-up business JUNI & CO in the Royal Arcade. (Image: Denise Bradley/Archant 2022)

"We've been doing this for four years now and it's been a real slog - partly because of Covid - but we're driven by passion.

"People come out of here physically looking brighter."

Skin therapist Louise Thomas-Minns with Suzanne and Madeleine White of Juni & Co in the Royal Arcade, Norwich (Image: Maya Derrick)

Alongside the launch, Juni & Co has worked with arcade neighbours Gyre & Gimble to make a prototype gin called 'Balance'. Using only British botanicals, the spirit encourages relaxing with friends and wellness with a calming feel.

"At Christmas we hope to put together a gift set with a gin with a lipstick or fragrance," she added. "The gin has gone down very well so far."

The Juni & Co-inspired prototype gin - distilled at neighbours Gyre & Gimble - uses British botanicals and encapsulates the feeling of calm and wellness (Image: Maya Derrick)

Louise Thomas-Minns, who runs a skin clinic in Unthank Road and has launched her own products under Louise Thomas Skin Care - which can be purchased at Juni & Co - said: "I think that people find a comfort when they come in here from getting proper advice.

"This store is all about building a relationship with clients and creating a safe space.

Louise Thomas-Minns, who is selling her Louise Thomas skincare range at Juni & Co in the Royal Arcade (Image: Denise Bradley/Archant 2022)

"And it's almost like the lipstick effect in WWII here - the small things like a new lipstick really feel like a luxury.

"People do come in here worried, but it shows that a little pampering can provide respite and escapism."