New addition to Sunbridgewells as The Sweetie People opens its doors

Jessica Evans, 27, owns three Wyke-based businesses - The Sweetie People, The Ice Cream People and Gifts by the Sweetie People - but has taken the plunge to open another sweet shop in the transformed underground tunnels.

The shop will be a permanent addition to the complex, which opened last year after a multi-million pound transformation.

Miss Evans’ journey began three years ago after she was made redundant and decided to go it on her own.

Inspired by her parents’ pop-up sweet business, Miss Evans began by opening her sweet shop and says she hasn’t looked back since.

After success with her first venture, the ice cream parlour opened one year later and the gift shop will soon mark its first birthday.

The Sunbridgewells shop opened its doors on Friday, offering a huge selection of treats to tempt those with a sweet tooth, as well as slush machines to create fun icy drinks.

“We’ve got a bit for everybody,” Miss Evans said. “There’s traditional and retro sweets, as well as American sweets, Japanese sweets and Scandinavian sweets.

“There’s a real market for it at the moment.”

And with the college and university nearby, it’s hoped the treasure trove shop will be able to tap into a big market in its city centre location.

The shop is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11am to 6pm, is closed on Tuesdays, and opens

Friday and Saturday from 11am to 9pm and Sundays from 11am to 5pm

To top off the business’ expansion, The Sweetie People has also been nominated in the latest British Takeaway Awards, sponsored by Just Eat.

Graham Hall, of Yeadon-based developer Sunbridgewells, said The Sweetie People's move in to the complex was an exciting move, adding variety to what the tunnels offer.

He added that other tenants are looking at units at the moment, so more names should be moving in "very soon".

Four Shining Stars, which makes personalised jewellery and 3D castings, will also be selling goods every Saturday.