About Us

Helmsley Traditional Sweet Shop was opened in July 2013, based around the ethos of selling sweets using the old-fashioned method – out of large jars into paper bags, with customers able to choose the amount they wanted.
Having a family background in sweets – growing up in York with relatives working in all three major sweet manufacturers: Rowntrees, Terrys and Cravens – the shop was a return to our roots.
The aim was to be able to track down companies who had been manufacturing sweets for many years and still produce sweets as they tasted when we were all young. Sadly many had ceased trading but several were found and nearly all are based in Yorkshire – for example our Yorkshire Mix is made by Maxons of Sheffield.

The lovely thing about the shop is that everyone smiles on entering as the rows of sweet jars triggers many nostalgic memories and we get told lots wonderful stories about people’s childhoods.

If you have any childhood memories or stories about sweets please drop us an email at shop@helmsleysweets.co.uk or use the Contact form as we would love to share your story with others.

The shop has now been open for 11 years and it is loved my so many people who often make their holiday bookings and day trips around visiting us for their sweets. Just prior to the COVID lockdown the website was created. It doesn’t have all the sweets on it that are sold in the shop as there are just too many, but please ask for help if your favourite isn’t there or you would like something extra special making up for a birthday, anniversary or a party, email us at shop@helmsleysweets.co.uk or use the Contact form.

Your Favourite Sweets – with a Personal Touch

We often say the shop is for grown-up children as it transforms them back to when they were young, and quite often gives them a warm feeling while they eat their sweets, alleviating the modern stresses of life for a few moments.

Our made up clear gift bags are made of cellulose and can be fully composted when empty and we are happy to refill the small gift jars with a 10% discount on the sweets if you bring them back to us.

Internet orders are posted in cardboard bags and boxes with compostable tape and the bubble wrap used is recycled from our sweet deliveries.

– Lynn Hempsall, owner