'We're struggling' – Hailsham sweet shop could be forced to close after three years

Sue Adey, 58, and her husband Bryan Jones, who turns 70 on Friday (October 16), own Scrumdiddlyumptious – a sweets shop in High Street.

The couple from Hastings bought a six-year lease for the shop in November 2024, but that included the option to sell after three years (November 2027).

And after almost two years, Sue admitted that her physical disability and the shop’s financial struggles are making an early exit more and more likely.

Despite the shop’s expansion from 200 to 1,000 sweet jars, the couple have worked for two years without a wage and are feeling the effects.

Sue said: “We don't need more local shops closed down. We need to keep the high street vibrant and bustling.

“I remember back to my time growing up and I look at videos back from the 80s, and I know it's all down to online buying now and you've got a bigger world available to you, but this is where the passion is. It's where the community is.

“And some people come into the shop because they're lonely and we chat and have a cup of tea – don't lose that. Don't lose people. Otherwise we're just going to be a socially isolated world where you don't meet people and talk, and it'd just be a shame to lose all that.”

Sue travels to nursing homes and holds pop-up events to share the shop’s sweets across the community.

The shop owner recalled the great satisfaction she gets from talking to customers about the history of sweets, particularly to the younger generation.

Scrumdiddlyumptious has also incorporated fresh ideas to try to breathe new life into the business, including offering sweets for parties and hosting raffles.

Sue is also nominated for this year’s “Make a Difference” prize at this year’s Hailsham Hero Awards for her work in the local community.

The 58-year-old helped organise the “Great Hailsham Treasure Hunt” earlier this year and has also started the “Sussex Literary Society for Local Authors” in the town.