Teenager launches sweet shop and delivery service

Joe Bradshaw from Chain Lane is only 18, but that has not stopped him turning his life around and finding a niche market, selling US and Australian sweets to the sweet tooth residents of St Helens.

After leaving school with low results, Joe set himself to work and did well working for a family friend. However his dream was to always own his own business and last June 2019 set up Candy World Delivery, a delivery service were boxes of foreign sweets can be ordered and delivered to homes in St Helens.

His business has steadily grown and with the coronavirus pandemic, more and more people needed their favourite treats delivering to their door as lockdown continued.

Joe saved his money and has now opened a small sweet shop on North John Street selling favourites such as Jolly Ranchers and Caramilk to the masses.

He said: "It was just an idea I had at first, because you can't get American sweets or foreign sweets in St Helens so I thought there would be an interest.

"I ordered loads but then business was slow and I nearly gave up, but something made me determined to keep going with it and it slowly got more and more people following on Instagram and Facebook. People would order and the sweets would be delivered to their door.

"I've always wanted my own business and to get a shop in town is a dream for me, I had no scores and attendance in school and I didn't go to college that kind of thing just wasn't for me.

Some of the wall art in the shop

"But I've always worked hard myself and honestly I just can't believe I've now got my own shop and that people like the sweets I get in. I hope in the future to maybe open more little shops like this across St Helens, if you work hard and keep at stuff you can do anything."

n For more on Candy World Delivery go to the shop on 62 North John Street or go to @candyworlddelivery on Instagram or Facebook.