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I run world's oldest sweet shop in Yorkshire - and after 199 years these are still the best sellers

The Oldest Sweet Shop in the World was founded in North Yorkshire in 1827

[An individual is standing behind a wooden counter inside a shop, surrounded by numerous shelves filled with various products. The counter has a few items on it, including a scale and a cash register. The shop's interior is well-stocked with an assortment of goods.]

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The proprietor of the world's oldest sweet shop claims that classic confectionery from the 1820s remains their top-selling products after 199 YEARS of trading - including pear drops, bonbons, and humbugs.

The Oldest Sweet Shop was established in Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, in 1827 and has weathered two world wars and a global pandemic since then. The historic establishment's present owner, young businessman Ben Howie, 29, suggests his bestselling items demonstrate that Britain's fondness for sweets hasn't altered significantly over nearly two centuries.

Traditional boiled confections such as pear drops, humbugs, alongside midget gems, cola cubs, and rhubarb and custards, continue to prove as sought-after as they were in the 1800s and 1900s. However, Ben, from Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, who assumed ownership of the landmark shop in 2021, acknowledges that contemporary sweets like Haribo gummy bears are equally popular.

He said: "We sell all types of treats, but the traditional hard-boiled sweets are by far our best sellers.

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[An individual standing behind a counter in a store filled with a variety of products, including bottles, jars, and other items, arranged on multiple shelves. In front of the counter, there are various items such as scales, a bag, and additional products.]

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"We have all different types from across different centuries but it's the old ones people want, I guess you can't escape the classics, they are still the favourites for a reason. So it seems the country's sweet tooth hasn't changed too much."

In 2014, the nostalgic establishment was recognised as the oldest sweet shop in the world by the Guinness Book of Records. It occupies a 400-year-old building with capacity for approximately 30 people at once - visitors have been known to journey from destinations as distant as Sydney and China for a visit.

[An image of a traditional stone building with white window frames, a green-framed entrance, and a sign displaying promotional content. The building is situated on the corner of a street.]

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Approximately 20,000 visitors stop by the shop annually - which Ben describes as the size of an average living room - located at the top of the high street. It has stayed largely unaltered, featuring large glass jars positioned on dark wooden shelving and the original till, which was salvaged by the shop's former owner, Keith Tordof, after he spotted it in an antique shop.

The enterprise is family-run, with Ben's brother James, 21, also working behind the counter and managing online orders. James explained the shop is well-liked as for many older customers it's like a "blast from the past". He said: "There are sweet shops everywhere, but you never find one like ours with old-fashioned jars, and the antique till. There is a lot of nostalgia in here.

[An image depicting the interior of a retail establishment featuring a wooden counter with various items, including a scale, and a background filled with shelves stocked with numerous jars and bottles, suggesting a store specializing in packaged goods.]

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"It isn't uncommon for customers to come in and be ruing over which sweets they want like Fruit Salads or wine gums. They can be inside making up their minds for 20 minutes, and even when they come to the till they aren't sure."

The brothers are conscious of the increasing costs of operating a business, with one thing they were compelled to update being the iconic 1p sweets. James said: "We had to change the price just after Covid up to 5p, which was a huge shame.

[An image displays a retail store filled with an extensive array of confectionery products. Various types of sweets are neatly arranged on wooden shelves, showcasing a diverse selection of colors and packaging.]

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"It was a staple for a lot of people, but it just wasn't sustainable to be able to pay for the cost of the product and bills. It would have been great to keep, but we couldn't unfortunately."

Since then, Ben and James have developed an online platform allowing customers to place orders, which they credit with significantly boosting the business. James revealed his personal favourites are raspberry bonbons or Dolly Mix.

[An old photograph depicts two individuals standing in front of a traditional storefront, characterized by brick walls and a stone entrance. The shop features a prominent signboard with the text "BUTTER & CAFE" and a display case showcasing various bottles and containers. The scene is set in an urban environment, with cobblestone pavement visible.]

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For both Ben and James, preserving this "important bit of history" remains their primary objective. Ben said: "Seeing the customers come in and be excited about the shop and the sweets is great, it really excites me.

"Hopefully we can keep going for another 200 years."

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