The council has allowed a local sweet shop in Eccles to stay open during the second lockdown.
Only Sweets and Treats is an old-fashioned sweet shop located in Eccles Shopping Centre.
The Council has said that the shop is an essential food business.
Gareth Cumbo, 39, and owner of Only Sweets and Treats’, explained that his delivery service skyrocketed during the first lockdown so he decided to open his shop on 2 October.
Although his sales dropped from 60% to 40% in the second lockdown, Gareth added “that 40% keeps us open.”
“A lot of shops in the Eccles town centre have closed so not a lot of people are coming to Eccles.”
Customers have expressed their opinions on social media, suggesting that they believe the shop is essential.
Gareth explained that the treats pick them up during the pandemic and can help people such as diabetics.
“We sell barley sugar so when some of my diabetic customers are running low on sugar, my sweets keep them going.”
Elderly people are Only Sweets and Treat’s main customers, and Gareth offers a delivery service.
He continued: “If you can’t get out and you need your fix, I’ll deliver to you and if you need something from the shop on the way let me know.
We offer our local NHS free delivery pic.twitter.com/70WUA2gAHw
— Only Sweets And Treats (@SweetsOnly) May 20, 2020
“[I am] so thankful for the people that come out of their way to come to us and that has kept us open throughout this second lockdown”, he said.
Kiel Hunter, 33, works from the ambulance service, helping Covid-19 patients, and he is a regular customer at Gareth’s shop.
Mr Hunter purchases sweets for his colleagues and parents at least once a week.
He said: “Gareth has opened up at a perfect time as it gets fresh blood into Eccles.”
Kiel explains that he buys the ‘mega mega pizza boxes’ which are full of retro sweets for his colleagues.
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As Salford has moved into Tier 3, small businesses are being put at further risk of closing down. The people of Salford are encouraged to support local businesses at this time.
Gareth explains that people have asked him “why open a shop in the middle of a pandemic?” and he added “if we can’t succeed in the hardest times, how are we going to succeed at all?”.
You can find local support on this Salford City Council webpage.
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