A SUCCESSFUL and popular sweet shop in Wotton-under-Edge is branching out after its owner purchased a Mr Whippy ice-cream van in the run up to the warmer summer months.

Treats UK in Market Street, Wotton, has, since it first opened just two years ago, served people of all ages with a broad range of sweets recognisable across a sweep of generations.

Sebastian Kenyon-May is the man behind the business and hopes the new ice-cream van venture will tantalise the taste buds of people in the area – with plans to hire it out fully-staffed at weddings, children’s parties, events and more.

Sebastian’s shop first opened its doors just over two years ago.

“It was something I felt was missed in the town, something that hadn’t been in Wotton for a long time – a nice traditional sweetshop,” he said.

“When we opened in 2013 it was very well received. The first day was absolutely crazy. We opened at one in the afternoon and I was serving non-stop for six hours on a till I had only just learned to operate.

“It’s been a lot a fun and there’s usually a really good atmosphere in here. Everyone is like a kid in a sweetshop.”

Treats UK aims to cater to people’s desires, serving classic sweets like aniseed balls and liquorice comfits to modern American items like Twinkies – as well as their very own creation, Wotton Fudge, created by Sebastian’s wife Tara. 

He continued: “We’ve always picked up on people’s requests and try and get things in that people want – so we now have so much more in stock than when we first started.

“The shop really appeals to all ages. In a lot of cases they’re not just sweets, they’re memories.”

Manning the sweet shop seven days a week was still not enough for Sebastian who has now purchased an ice-cream van to hire out at events.

“It was always going to happen and we’ve served ice cream in the shop since day one. When we’ve had stalls of sweets at events in the past we’ve lugged a freezer onto the van with us just so we could serve ice cream.

“When it came to getting the van it just had to be a Mr Whippy and the response has been great. I’ve got it parked in the Chipping and people are always asking me when I’m going to be coming round.

“I wasn’t even initially going to do a round but so many people have asked its something I’m now looking into doing.”

Talking about what he gets out of the business, both sweets and ice-creams, Sebastian said: "I’ve always been quite a sociable person. I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life.

“I always say, I’ve never worked so hard in my life but I’ve never enjoyed doing something so much.

“I hold the community around here very important and try and support it any way I can. I really appreciate all the support I’ve received since opening the shop."

Treats UK opens on weekdays from 7.30 to 8.30am, then again from 10.30am to 5.30pm; on Saturdays from 10.30am to 5.30pm; and Sundays from 2.30 to 5pm.

To contact the store with inquiries about the sweetshop or hiring out the ice-cream van call 07969166383.