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Leeds TikTok famous sweet store Candy Works turns over £1.4 million in first year
Viral TikTok pick 'n' mix videos launched the success of Candy Works, but one year on, the company have had more orders than they could have possibly imagined.
Candy Works, a pick 'n' mix store in Leeds, have just announced a turnover of £1,400,000 during their first year of sales.
Husband and wife duo, Ryan and Sophie Taylor came up with the idea of building their own business whilst out of work over the pandemic period.
Starting with just £400 work of sweets, the couple used TikTok, a relatively new platform at the time, to share their new business venture. It didn't take long for their videos to pick up traction and their pick 'n' mix videos went viral, landing them over 1000 orders overnight.
Working out of their spare bedroom, the couple worked tirelessly to find suppliers and meet the unprecedented demand.
There were what felt like hundreds of pop up sweet shops that started online over lockdown but it was the array of international sweets that Candy Works offers that helped their success.
The company import holiday favourites like Lays crisps and American classics such as Mike & Ike and Chips Ahoy! and sell them as standalone products or as part of their pick 'n' mix selection.
Orders are then packaged up and shipped across the world to their customers. Candy Works post addictive '#PackAnOrderWithMe' videos where viewers can see exactly what others are buying.
This series, along with Q&As and 'Sweet of the Day' videos make up their daily TikTok content. Due to the incredible following of 1.2 million users, the couple have accumulated 35.4 million likes since the launch of their business, an undeniable factor in their success.
Since their November 2020 launch, they have officially turned over £1,400,000 and employ twelve members of staff to help run Candy Works.
To recognise their efforts, Sophie and Ryan Taylor have won the Lloyds Bank Small Business Award for 2021 and were ranked the third business on TikTok, just behind Tango Ice Blast who have a cult following of 137,700 followers.
Moving forwards, the company plan to expand across the UK and increase the number of staff to keep up with orders.
To check out the latest sweets available from Candy Works, check their TikTok and use their website to place an order.
After being 'missing' for decades, a long-lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show is set to air on the BBC this month.
In what is already gearing up to be a memorable moment, the episode - which was first broadcast on the BBC on 16 September 1968, and was thought to have been lost forever before being recovered - will be shown on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer in a couple of weeks time to coincide with when Eric Morecambe would have turned 100 years old.
The episode was discovered by Film Is Fabulous! - which is a charitable trust run by film collectors and television enthusiasts.
It was found in the estate of a former television industry professional, before being returned to the BBC.
Audiences tuning in to the episode can expect to see sketches written by Sid Green and Dick Hills - with Ann Hamilton appearing as Pauline in a sketch set in a nudist colony, while Jenny Lee-Wright plays Eric’s niece, a balloon dancer.
📢 ‘Missing’ episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show is coming to the BBC!
A long-lost episode first broadcast in 1968 will be shown on BBC Four and @BBCiPlayer on Thursday 14 May, to coincide with when Eric Morecambe would have turned 100
It also includes a musical performance from The Paper Dolls, who enjoyed hits in the 1960s.
This 'lost' programme is the third episode from Morecambe and Wise’s first series after returning to the BBC, following a period working with commercial television.
Eric Morecambe’s daughter, Gail, has described the recovery of the episode as 'a lovely surprise', adding: "I’m really looking forward to seeing it on a screen once again after so many years."
Gary Morecambe, Eric's son, added: "I honestly didn’t think there was anything out there left to find, and when something like this comes out of nowhere, it’s really quite wonderful. Hats off to Professor Justin Smith and his team, whose dedication and hard work brought this gem back to us. I’m very excited about seeing it for the first time since I was 12."
This long-lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show will be broadcast on BBC Four at 8pm on on Thursday 14 May, and available to watch whenever you like on BBC iPlayer from then.
Featured Image - BBC | Film is Fabulous!
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The world’s smallest pub is opening in Leeds’ biggest beer garden this weekend
Clementine Hall
A teeny tiny micro-pub is coming to Leeds city centre this bank holiday weekend.
This weekend, from Saturday 2 to Sunday 3 May, Rita’s in Leeds will host the arrival of a travelling micro-pub dubbed the World’s Smallest, beating out World Record holders, in their huge beer garden.
Licor 43's Tiny Taberna features a 2.15m x 1.5m space that has been drawing crowds across the UK for doing something very simple, very well: shrinking the pub experience down to its absolute smallest form and pairing it with one of the country’s most talked-about viral drinks trends.
You won't be able to get your average pint here though, this adorable little bar will only serve Rita’s Mini Beer, commonly known as the Baby Beer.
Image: Supplied
The Baby Beer is a shot made with Licor 43 and topped with a creamy layer to mimic the look of a perfectly poured pint. And trust us, it's just as delicious as it is cute.
Made with Licor 43, mixed with a velvety layer of cream liqueur, the flavour is indulgent with notes of vanilla, caramel and creamy sweetness.
Image: Supplied
You may have seen these drinks online too, with videos of the Baby Beer going viral across social media racking up millions of views.
Styled as a Spanish-inspired bar, the Tiny Taberna invites you to gather with mates, step inside and enjoy a Baby Beer in this immersive and fun space. Obviously, you'll have to take some great pics for the gram too.
Rita’s beer garden, already known as one of the city’s largest, will not only play host to the pint-sized pub, but will also be serving their usual cocktail menu throughout the weekend.
Image: Supplied
The Tiny Taberna will be at Rita’s Leeds for two days only, from Saturday 2nd to Sunday 3rd May, serving Mini Beers from 7-9pm.
The best part? Those who purchase any beer this Bank Holiday weekend will be able to claim a free Mini Beer from the installation with a voucher. We'll see you there.
Sophie Smith -
18th October 2021 
