A sweet shop is to open its doors in the heart of Inverness – providing a jobs boost to the city centre.
The Inverness branch of Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe on Church Street will be the only one of its kind in the city following the closure of Victorian Market’s confectionery store.
The new Victorian-styled store is geared to bring nine full-time and part-time jobs to the city.
Susan Young, managing director of the franchise, says the venture arose through her ambitions to grow the franchise, which includes a shop in Aviemore.
She said: “Considering that Inverness is the capital of the Highlands it’s just the place I felt a Mr Simms belongs.
“All these high street stores are closing. It’s taking the life out of cities and we definitely belong in the High Street.”
She said she is going against advice by others at this time of Brexit, added: “We are going to carry on regardless. I don’t think there is anywhere better than in the Highlands of Scotland.
“We have had so many people coming to Aviemore from Inverness saying ‘when are you going to open up [in Inverness]’.
“Inverness is really up and coming. It’s really changed over the last couple of years and there is so much going on. It’s a vibrant place again and I want to be part of that. Mr Simms is all about old fashion values, old fashion service and old fashion Sweets. ”
A wide range of confectionary will be on offer, including liquorice, fudge and an assortment of boiled sweets, catering for both vegans and diabetics.
With good quality old fashioned service at the top of their priority, its hoped visitors will leave with some wonderful memories in tow.
She added: “It’s all about memories, new memories for children. It’s lovely in Aviemore the people that come in go ‘oh my god, I remember that and I remember that’.
“They are taking away a special memory. I want everyone that comes into the shop to take away a little bit of nostalgia and lots of new experiences in a wonderful surrounding.”