Candymonium, a traditional sweet shop run by local entrepreneur Anthony Johnson, opened on 1 July on Eastbank Street in Southport town centre. The store sells a growing range of classic sweets presented in glass jars alongside freshly made milkshakes and chilled drinks, tapping into both nostalgia and a demand for independent retail in the town centre.
Family history shapes a new high-street venture
Johnson, 36, who lives in Southport, says the idea for the shop grew from memories of visiting his great-grandparents’ stall when he was a child. His great-grandparents, Wendy and Reg Miller, ran a large pick’n’mix stall inside Southport Market for almost two decades and were notable for being among the first in Southport to offer a sugar-free range.
"I remember being a kid and going to their shop and asking my grandad if I could pinch some of the sweets. It was always so wondrous when I was younger because you'd be looking around and thinking 'this is the best life ever, my grandad owns a sweet shop',"
That sentiment, he says, helped steer him towards opening a bricks-and-mortar store. Johnson told the ECHO that a break from full-time work allowed him to reassess his future and pursue the idea. He previously worked for seven years in domiciliary care before stepping away; the pause gave him the space to plan and act.
From play centres to pick’n’mix
Johnson has some experience of running family-focused businesses: he managed a children’s play centre in Preston for three years. He describes starting his own shop as “both exciting and also nerve-inducing.” His great-grandmother continues to advise him and has taught practical skills such as assembling birthday orders.
- Opening date: 1 July
- Location: Eastbank Street, Southport town centre
- Offerings: Traditional sweets in jars, milkshakes, chilled drinks, pick’n’mix options including a sugar-free range
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner | Anthony Johnson, aged 36 |
| Family link | Great-grandparents Wendy and Reg Miller — former Southport Market stallholders |
| Previous jobs | Domiciliary care worker (7 years); ran a Preston play centre (3 years) |
Local context and potential impact
Small independents such as Candymonium help diversify the town centre offer at a time when residents say they value independent retail, breakfast and leisure spots as part of a healthy high street. The shop’s combination of traditional sweets and freshly made milkshakes aims to attract families, shoppers and visitors wandering Eastbank Street.
Johnson’s emphasis on a sugar-free range — a feature associated with his great-grandparents’ stall — is likely to appeal to health-conscious customers and parents after treat alternatives. He has also leaned on family knowledge as he establishes the business; his great-grandmother has been advising on day-to-day operation and product preparation.
Challenges and ambitions
Johnson admits opening a shop brings nerves as well as excitement. Running a high-street business requires steady footfall and repeat customers, and the market for nostalgic sweets competes with online options and national chains. Nevertheless, the personal history behind Candymonium and its place in Southport’s retail mix give it a visible local identity that could help it to establish a loyal customer base.
For residents, the arrival of a family-run sweet shop is a reminder of the town’s trading past and the ongoing role independent retail plays in the town centre’s future. Whether customers come for a milkshake, a retro pick’n’mix or a sugar-free treat, Candymonium has opened with a clear local story and the practical support of a family that already knows the trade.
The shop is now trading on Eastbank Street; customers can expect glass jars of classic sweets, a milkshake bar and a selection of chilled drinks as Johnson and his advisers build the business through the summer.
