Teenage entrepreneur Chantel Elliot is enjoying the sweet taste of success thanks to her new business.

The 17-year-old is the driving force behind Sugar Mouse, an old-fashioned sweet shop which opened in part of historic Bridge Cottage in Uckfield High Street.

With a little help from her parents, Chantel has seen her venture get off to an encouraging start.

Chantel, from Uckfield, said she was delighted by the way business had begun.

She said: "When I was growing up there was never a sweet shop in Uckfield.

"I always thought it would be a good idea to start one up and it's great to see how people have responded."

She has stocked the shop with more than 200 varieties of sweets, including old favourites such as humbugs, bullseyes, lemon sherbets and rhubarb and custards.

Many of the lines are stocked from a 72-year-old sweet-maker called Dave Keyanne who has spent a lifetime developing his skills.

Chantel said: "If anyone asks for something we don't have, Dave can make it for us."

She expected to be besieged by children but has found herself serving many more older customers, happy to rediscover familiar treats from their youth.

She said: "We've had so many people pop in and say they must bring their children or grandchildren."

Chantel, a student at Sussex Downs College, Lewes, said she was fortunate to have had the support of her parents.

Her mother and father run neighbouring Binghams Restaurant and the shop has been set up in what used to be their office.

She said: "I kept telling dad it was a good idea and then mum got on board and nagged him until he gave in."

Her mother Iris has also been helping out at the shop.

Chantel still has a year of her college course left and is determined to keep both the shop and her education going once the new term begins.

She said: "Originally it was going to be a summer thing but now I don't want to let all the hard work go to waste."

She is already planning to expand into the back of the building and to start stocking a range of chocolate goods.

She said: "When I leave college I want to try to expand into other towns as well."

Thursday, August 11, 2005