A new business selling bespoke, artisan toffee has opened its doors for the first time in Mansfield.
The Toffee Hut, in Regent Street, launched on Monday, April 12, at the same time all non-essential traders returned to the town centre.
The new business, which specialises in specialist toffees with a range of flavours, has been trading since 2019 but has now made the leap into opening its first high street store.
It is the brainchild of former business consultant Rachel Richards, from Mansfield, who also spent more than 20 years working in social care.
Ms Richards, who wanted a change of career, says she has always had a passion for baking and spent a lot of time "perfecting recipes" with her grandma.
She adds that, despite lockdowns over the past 12 months, she believes the business and Mansfield itself will "bounce back" from the pandemic.
"I started the business back in 2019, but then lockdowns happened and everything was at a standstill," she said.
"It’s been a lot of hard work to find the right premises but I think Mansfield will bounce back and is a great place to be located.
"I used to cook with my grandma and over the years I have been perfecting recipes.
"I can make bespoke recipes and I’d love to do a special Mansfield Town one as I love the Stags."
At its Regent Street site, the business is selling toffees, fudge, peanut brittle and lollies, and also has coffee sourced from Nottingham's 200 Degrees chain.
As well as selling items to Mansfield's shoppers, the business also acts as a wholesaler and supplies toffees to shops including Harrods.
It has three part-time members of staff, but its owner says she hopes to take on more staff "if the business thrives".
She adds that toffee making is quite a "rare business", meaning her toffee is in high demand from the high-end retailers.
She has also been asked to produce the world's hottest chilli toffee for League of Fire, a contest where people aim to eat food made with the hottest chillies in the world.
The business, which has a five-star food hygiene rating with Mansfield District Council, has also met the criteria for SALSA accreditation, meaning it operates at a high standard.
Nikki Rolls, the chief executive of Mansfield BID (Business Improvement District), said: “We wish Rachel good luck with the new venture, which we believe will be a sweet success.
"Mansfield town centre will be bouncing back, and the fact that a number of new businesses are getting ready to open is evidence of that."
Get a daily briefing of the latest Mansfield news with our free email updates.
