New homemade fudge store and coffee lounge opens in Bingley

The new store called Fudge It on Chapel Lane will sell fudge, bakes and sweet treats, as well as serving coffees and milkshakes.

Sean Hatherley and his wife Amanda decided to open the new shop after a job loss during the pandemic meant they had to look for other ways to get by.

They have now decided to turn their family's favourite sweet treat into a business venture, as well as having a ‘child-friendly’ coffee lounge attached.

Sean and Amanda Hatherley opened Fudge It today

Amanda said: “Sean has always loved fudge, and for as long as I can remember if our family wanted an indulgent treat he’d pop to the shop, get all the ingredients and make batches of fudge.

“When he lost his job as a properties facilitations manager, I said to him why not turn fudge making it into a business. At first he thought I was absolutely crackers, but I told him food sells, we’ll make it work and that’s where we’re at.”

Amanda explained that they have been making the fudge from home since autumn last year, and have been selling it at Bingley market, where they have built up a good reputation and a customer base, but now they want to take it to the next level.

Homemade fudge

“It has just been a massive hit, people absolutely love it because it’s not something you can just buy unless you go to the supermarket and get the really stodgy and sugary ones. We put all the best, high quality ingredients in ours and people love it.”

They will be selling a range of flavours including vanilla, salted caramel, dark chocolate and chilli which are all freshy prepared on the premises.

But the shop isn’t just going to sell fudge, “we’re going to sell all sorts of bakes, and have a coffee shop and be a place where kids can come and get milkshakes and things too,” she said.

Coffees and milkshakes will be served in the coffee lounge

The shop is going to be an inclusive, family-friendly setting where ‘parents can come and relax, have a coffee and not worry about their kids running about and being loud.’

 “I know what that’s like being a mum myself, but we’re going to have a kids corner and a chalk board and things so it’s enjoyable for everyone,” Amanda added.

The store is also using plastic-free and sustainable packaging.

Fudge It will be open from Monday to Saturday from 9am until 4.30pm.