Furloughed Hartlepool dad sets up retro sweets company during lockdown, taking fans back to their childhood

Dad-of-two Glen Hughes, is tapping into adults’ nostalgia for sweets from their childhood with his new home venture Retro Mix Ups.

He is making gift boxes, jars and even classic 10 pence mixes, of sweets that most people have not seen for years.

Everything from strawberry laces, Wham bars, sherbet dips, and popping candy, to gummy bears, milk bottles, Bubbly gum, and chocolate footballs are taking customers back to their youth.

Glen, 41, of Bishop Cuthbert, came up with the idea while he is on furlough from his main job with Orangebox Training Solutions.

He said: “I was seeing a lot of people doing pizza boxes filled with sweets and it got me thinking of the 10 pence mixes I used to get when I was a kid.

“I thought it might be nice to put some retro mixes together. I’m in lockdown and furloughed from work and it has given me someting to do.

“I did a few for friends and family and it snowballed. I have been inundated with requests.”

Glen sources the old-fashioned candy online or from shops.

“It is all those old retro things that unless you look for don’t really see nowadays,” he said.

“Things like bananas, shrimps, golf ball bubble gum, the original KP chocolate dips.

“It has just resonated with people. They say they haven’t had the sweets in them for years or they say ‘it takes me right back to school’.”

Glen puts them in eye-catching glass jars or wooden boxes which can be reused or decorated by the customer.

He also jazzes up the glass jars with stickers of classic Eighties cartoon characters such as He-Man and Thundercats for that extra nostalgic touch.

They have proved popular birthday and Father’s Day gifts.

Glen, who lives with primary school teacher partner Lisa Hunter, and their sons Charlie, seven, and 11-month-old William, added: “If they are still popular after Father's Day I will look to register as a sole trader."

To find out more see Retro Mix Ups’ Facebook page.

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