Last updated 20:54, Thursday, 06 November 2008

A NEW Workington shop has taken a sweet step back in time.

The Old Sweetshop on John Street was designed from childhood memories by its owner Phil Radcliffe, 45, who lives above the premises.

“I love seeing people’s reactions as they walk through the door. It’s like they’ve been taken back to their childhoods,” he said. “When I was a kid, sweet shops looked like this.”

Mr Radcliffe, a manager for the ambulance service, runs the shop in his spare time.

He said: “I thought why not? There is nothing like this in the town. It is something completely different.”

He said children and adults alike were flocking to the traditional shop to try out the goodies.

“They say that it takes them back in time. It puts a smile on people’s faces,” he said.

“If people ask me for certain sweets I try and order them. I’ve just got hold of salted liquorice from Scandinavia.I also have winter medicinal sweets.

“It’s one of the best jobs you could have, and business is getting better every day.

“It’s hard times at the moment but people still want to treat themselves, and a bag of sweets isn’t going to break the bank.”

The Old Sweetshop took around 12 months to open and was completely refurbished by Mr Radcliffe.

He added: “The old fashioned till and some of the stock came from a traditional sweet shop in Ambleside.

“If things go well then I would like to expand and take on more staff.

“I have always loved sweets and wanted to own my own business. I have set up a text service too. If people want a particular type of sweet they can let me know and when I get it in store I can text them to let them know.”