Thanks to work experience student, Poppy Gilpin of Balcarras School, who wrote this story.

A new sweetshop called Candy Cravers opened on Northgate Street last Saturday (April 8), following a strategic move by its owners.

Having originally opened in December of 2019 on the High Street, Tredworth, owners Maya Smith and Mark Taylor, an ex-serviceman, took the opportunity to move Candy Cravers to a more suitable, and hopefully lucrative, location following the disruption caused by Covid in 2020.

The building used to be occupied by Hudson & Co Sports, but closed in 2019 and the premises have stood empty for some time.

The shop sells a variety of American sweets and treats, tastefully displayed in a colourful and attractive way. Having only opened recently, the finished look is a work in progress and Mark and Maya are continuing to work on the shop's aesthetic.

The shop's prime focus is reasonable cost for its customers.

Mark Taylor said: "We are aiming for reasonable 'community prices', rather than some of the higher prices found in larger cities for the same stock.

"As our target audience is children, and to keep costs down for them, we've incorporated a 50p shelf.

"Having come from a single parent family myself, I understand the struggles some families face and want to make our sweets accessible to everyone."

It's hoped the move from Tredworth to the city centre will increase footfall and sales, while also investing in the city centre and bringing another vacant shop back into use.