GLASGOW soap manufacturer Soapworks saw domestic and international sales fall in the year to January 2016 after facing what it termed “challenging retail market conditions”.

The business, which was set up by The Body Shop founders Anita and Gordon Roddick in 1988 but has been independent since 2010, saw turnover from the UK fall from £10.5 million to £9.8m while international turnover fell from £1.9m to £1.5m.

The firm said the reduction in demand for its products meant it was unable to benefit from economies of scale, leading it to post a pre-tax loss of £258,000.