'Heartbroken' owner as Ripley sweet shop announces closure - 'the town is getting quieter'

Pictured is Sweet Treats in Ripley
-Credit: (Image: Derby Telegraph)


A small business owner has been left "broken" after being forced to close a Derbyshire town sweet shop, citing a quiet high street as a primary factor. The owner of Sweet Retreat in Grosvenor Road, Ripley, confirmed the sad news to its customers on Friday (September 27), prompting an outpouring of support from locals in the town.

The statement from the sweet shop, which is currently holding a closing down sale, reads: "Absolutely breaks me to say that our shop on Grosvenor Road will be closing down. We have tried our absolute best but unfortunately town is just getting quieter and quieter.

"We are not giving up though we are hoping to get our delivery van out ASAP. 20 per cent off everything while stocks last" The announcement came just nine days after the store announced it would be minimising its hours, admitting it was "struggling to stay open."

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A spokesperson for Sweet Retreat, on Wednesday, September 18, said: "We are so sorry to announce that we are really struggling to stay open and are forced to minimise our hours. Hopefully this will be temporary. Please guys use us or lose us."

The store specialises in all things sweet and offers a wide range of treats including ice cream, sweets and seasonal cakes tailored to a mix of occasions. One Facebook user, Scott Pugh, said: "Problem with shops nowadays is nobody likes to go in but rather order online," to which the Sweet Retreat account replied: "Absolutely! I love seeing my customers face to face and have made so many friends and met some lovely people but times are changing. Bright times ahead I hope," hinting at an online-only future for the store.

Another user, Katie Marie, commented: "Oh no this is so sad. We always nip in but there just isn’t the footfall in towns anymore. I’ll deffo be interested in an online shop." With another adding: "I’m so sorry to hear this, your shop really brightened up the road x."