Royal visit to Lorien

A visit by the Duchess of Kent to Lorien Laboratories’ new factories in Sunderland Road, Sandy made front page news in the Chronicle 25 years ago this week.

The Duchess flew in by helicopter and was welcomed by HM Lord Lieutenant for Bedfordshire, Lieutenant Colonel H C Hanbury along with directors of the firm. Potton Brownie Krista Tuchschere was amongst those to greet the Duchess on her arrival at the factory by presenting her with a posy of flowers. The Duchess then officially opened the building by unveiling a commemorative plaque.

Lorien, a cosmetics supplier for high street stores in Britain and Scandinavia, had moved to Sandy from Potton in June 1989 after building the new £6 million facility.

The Duchess took a tour of the high tech factory and design studios before having lunch. She also visited the laboratories where new products were tested. Staff – numbering 60 in the daytime and 40 on night shifts - were delighted when she took an extra half hour out to circulate and chat to them.

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