Strap in for the grandest sugar safari you’ve ever been on, then, as we nose-dive through the candy-filled link-streets of Birmingham. But be warned: risk of permanent tooth decay, intense bouts of jeolousy for your much younger self and retrospective fantasies will all get the better of you. Here goes….
Yankee Candy Cave
First up is Yankee Candy Cave, a small stall in Bullring Shopping Centre packed with a cornucopia of classic American confectionery. You’re sure to walk off with a bag of Peanut Butter M&Ms – that’s according to our connoisseur of sweets, Desta H.
Bullring Shopping Centre Birmingham B5 4BS United Kingdom
The Candy Box
The next stop on our sugar trail is The Candy Box in Acocks Green, a pristine, bubblegum pink confectionery store with an American candy vibe and shelves packed to the rafters with every candy going from cola cubes to flying saucers and priced to make you check the label twice.
Warwick Road Acocks Green Birmingham B27 6RA United Kingdom
Gobstoppers
Gobstoppers, located in Grand Central, is a place where individuals can find obscure tasty treats, but don’t look for Snickers or Mars bars, you’ll be better off in Tesco. At Gobstoppers everything is special.
Grand Central Birmingham New Street Birmingham B2 4XJ United Kingdom
Mr Chill's Traditional Sweet Emporium
Mr Chill’s Traditional Sweet Emporium – piled high with retro sweets in immense glass jars, this is a seriously tough decision for any sweetie fan. One of our sweetie-loving authors eventually settled on a quarter of sherbet strawberries. You can’t get more old school than that!
55 Hurst Street Birmingham B5 4TE United Kingdom
Sweets from Heaven
The little street of Sweets from Heaven is a popular spot for those who appreciate its friendly staff and delicious products. In particular, Saturdays are extremely busy when parents spoil their children with a little something sweet.
9 Mill Lane Arcade Touchwood Solihull Touchwood B91 3GS United Kingdom
Jen's Sweet Shop
Jen’s Sweet Shop in Sutton Coldfield is a traditional English sweet shop. It is old-fashioned, white and sweet-smelling, so sweet that it tempts passersby to come inside and spend their money. At the centre of the wide, white counter an array of sweets spill out of ancient-looking jars.
12 Boldmere Road Sutton Coldfield B73 5TD United Kingdom
Olde Sweet Shoppe
The Olde Sweet Shoppe, whose shelves are helpfully colour-coded, provides excellent service and has always been able to suggest ways to make their jarred treats more giftworthy. Price-wise, some notches might be higher than I’d like to dive into, but the range more than compensates.
Great Western Arcade City Centre Birmingham B2 5HU United Kingdom City Core
Treat Street
Treat Street. Image courtesy of Treat Street.Notice the huge selection of sweets and treats at this family-owned sweet shop in London. Whether you’re looking for giant pancakes, breakfast custard, milkshakes, volcanic fondant, heavenly hot chocolate, chocolate-covered strawberries, explosion for Malta, a Teddy Choco Box, a chocolate bomb, a mini chocolate volcano, a sweet explosion, Buffalo Brownie fudge, British sweets, chocolate-covered marshmallow fruit, a gift box for a loved one, or a large Choccy Stick, Treat Street has you covered. Oh, and in front, right there, they have a tea garden. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m about to go spend the rest of my life there.
14 Boldmere Road Sutton Coldfield B73 5TD United Kingdom
Black Country Sweets
Photo courtesy Black Country SweetsAs the logo proudly states, Black Country Sweets sells all your favourite childhood sweets in a nostalgic shop. It’s like going back in time for any sweet-toothed kid.
80-84 High Street Halesowen Halesowen B63 3BA United Kingdom
Sweets & Treats
Last but least among our list is Sally Anne’s Sweets @ Treats shop, known for its variety of sweets and crisps. However, you now tend to find more bagged sweets and boxed chocolates, but still an affordable price in comparison to supermarkets.
6 The Kingstanding Centre Birmingham B44 9HH United Kingdom