Cosmetics brand Amelia Knight, which is based in Knutsford, Cheshire, has recently acquired Pascalle Cosmetics, which is based in Stoke-on-Trent.

The Express explained that this will now give the cosmetics firm, which provides private label and branded beauty products to stores including Primark and Asda, a UK manufacturing base for the first time.

Until now, all of the company’s products have been manufactured in China, at its wholly owned operation in Hangzhou.

And Amelia Knight already has big plans for its new base in Stoke. In July, a new state-of-the-art laboratory is set to open here, allowing it to significantly expand its UK R&D operations.

Chief executive and chairman David Salmon, who founded Amelia Knight 20 years ago, told the newspaper that the expansion in Stoke is important. “As well as adding instant capacity, we have gained this significant ability to make ‘Made in England’ products,” he stated.

There could be increased demand for trade specific denatured alcohol from the company as it begins its new R&D activities.

And it isn’t only the ability to make products in England that the company is looking forward to. The acquisition will allow it to start manufacturing different products too, such as face masks. These are a significant growth area among the under-20 age group and are a market that could be worth tapping into.

There are already a number of affordable face mask products on the market, as the Mirror recently pointed out. The newspaper tested a host of the available products and found that the Origins GinZing Peel-Off Mask, which is available at John Lewis for £22, came out on top with a 10/10 rating.