Oxford News
Family-run Oxfordshire sweet shop for sale after five years
Stanley’s Sweets & Treats in Kidlington was founded in October 2021 by mother-daughter duo Ali and Jemma Graham.
The pair were picking up in their family’s footsteps and achieving a long-standing ambition of running their own sweet shop, as their ancestor, Cyril Nicholson – Ali’s grandfather, and Jemma’s great-grandfather – owned the sweet shop in Oxford’s Covered Market in the 1960s.
Cyril Nicholson outside The Sweet Shop in Oxford’s Covered Market in 1961 (Image: Contributed)
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However, the business has now been put up for sale to a new owner, as Ali is ready to retire and her daughter wants to finish the venture they started as a team, together.
A statement from the owners said: “After nearly five incredible years, we’ve made the difficult decision to put Stanley’s Sweets and Treats up for sale.
“Ali is now ready to retire, and they both feel that as they started the venture together, they would like to finish together.
“We are extremely proud of our team, the business we have nurtured, how we have grown and become the valued and popular space within the community.
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“Kidlington is a thriving town with lots of brilliant people willing to support their local independent businesses.
“We would like to thank our customers and wider supporters for choosing Stanley’s for their coffee spot, afterschool milkshake or weekend sweets and treats.”
The sweet shop and cafe has been listed for sale online as an ‘exceptional opportunity’ for a new owner-operator to step into their shoes, with a loyal customer base, nostalgic confectionary offering, it’s friendly, independent service and the capacity for it to expand as a cafe.
The Grahams added: “We very much hope that we will find a buyer who will continue to love and grow the business as we have.
“The business still has lots of potential, particularly on the cafe menu offering and developing the website and online sales.
“Until a buyer is found, we remain committed to business as usual and Ali, Jemma and their team look forward to welcoming new and existing customers into Stanley’s until the sale is complete.
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“We would love to hear from anyone who thinks this opportunity is for them.
“The business sale is being managed by Starling Corporate and we encourage any interested party to contact the agency directly. ”
Stanley’s Sweets & Treats continues operating its normal opening hours of 8.45am-5pm Monday to Friday and from 9am on Saturdays from the shop at 12 The Kidlington Centre, Kidlington.
Oxford News
‘Scary’ emergency incident sees police close off Oxford bridge
Officers have closed off Donnington Bridge at the junction with Townsend Square following a crash in the late hours of yesterday night (Tuesday, August 4).
A police presence has been at the scene since last night and is continuing into the early hours of today (Wednesday, August 5).
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The road has been closed with a cordon of police tape now in place preventing vehicles from passing through, and multiple police vehicles are at the scene.
In a breaking news alert just after midnight, Thames Valley Police announced that a crash had occurred and appealed for those with information to come forward.
A spokesperson for the police force said: “Donnington Bridge Road is currently closed at the junction with Townsend Square following a collision.
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“Any drivers should avoid the area as much as possible, and we will provide more information when we can.
“Anyone with information or footage related to the collision should call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 2801 of yesterday.”
An eyewitness who wished to remain anonymous told this newspaper: “It looks quite scary from a distance.
“I can see a motorcycle on the pavement and a car nearby.”
Oxford News
Rock legends line up to appear at Bob Harris tribute concert
Stand By Me: Bob Harris – A Celebration Of Life In Music will take place in London on December 2.
The one-off show will also include performances by Rick Wakeman, Carly Pearce, Chris Difford, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Judie Tzuke, Kate Rusby, The Shires, Kezia Gill and Toby Lee.
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In June, it was announced that the broadcaster, who lives in Steventon, near Abingdon, was standing down from hosting his Radio 2 shows Sounds Of The 70s and Radio 2 Country because of ill health.
The radio veteran, 80, has prostate cancer and in April he revealed it has spread to his upper spine.
Mr Harris said at the time leaving his shows has been “one of the hardest decisions of my life”.
Sir Roger Daltrey of The Who (Image: PA)
He added: “It’s incredible to think that my broadcasting career has spanned almost 56 years. I am very fortunate to have spent my entire working life doing something I love so much.
“I am a massive BBC loyalist, and I’m grateful that I have always been given the freedom to build my programmes in my own way.
“Most of my time on air has been spent with my fabulous family at Radio 2 and it has been such a joy to broadcast on this world-class radio station.
“I am so proud that the Radio 2 Country Show has played such a massive part in propelling country to become the fastest-growing music genre in the UK, and presenting Sounds Of The 70s on Sunday afternoons has been a real pleasure and made my time here the most special of my entire life.
“But more than anything, I want to say thank you to my listeners. I have put everything I have into every show I’ve ever done, and it’s all been because of you. Your love and loyalty mean more to me than words can ever say.
“I am so sorry that my health issues are forcing me to step down, but I realise that I must concentrate on getting myself well again.
“This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I would never want to be doing programmes knowing that I am unable to give you 100 per cent.”
Following the announcement regarding the show, Bob Harris said he was honoured.
He told The Standard: “I’ve been blessed and honoured to have been there with all these artists right at the beginning of their careers, so we all have long working relationships and deep friendships.
“I truly love the Royal Albert Hall too. I first began attending concerts there in 1968, and it is, to me, the most beautiful and prestigious venue in Britain.
“So I feel so honoured to have these wonderful artists with me onstage at my favourite venue. Bringing this music together for Stand By Me is the realisation of a dream.”
The event will also feature broadcasting and music industry figures on stage to present the show and share their memories of Harris.
Oxford News
Harper Beckham, 15, refusing to give up after brand setback
The daughter of former footballer David and ex Spice Girl Victoria lives with her family in Oxfordshire.
She had been working on a skincare line inspired by Korean beauty, initially branded HIKU by Harper and aimed at Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers.
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However, according to cosmetics industry reports and US filings, the US Patent and Trademark Office refused her first application in July “because of a likelihood of confusion” with existing trademarks already registered in the country.
Harper, David and Victoria Beckham (Image: PA)
Documents cited by cosmeticsbusiness.com show that “Hiku” is already protected for personal care products and fragrances, while “Harper” appears on the register for cleaning products such as brooms and scrubbing brushes – blocking the path for “HIKU by Harper” in those categories.
Coverage of the setback notes that Harper had six months to respond to the provisional refusal if she wants to challenge the decision or narrow the scope of the American filing.
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Yet, now, she is pursuing a new brand, this time focused around make-up and called Harlo by Harper.
According to The Sun, the teenager has lodged papers with the US Patent and Trademark Office asking to be granted sole rights to use the name and with the UK’s Intellectual Property Office to trademark the brand.
The aim is to launch the brand at some point next year, as the only daughter of the Beckhams seeks to build a beauty empire.
A source for the paper added that Victoria has been “guiding her every step of the way”.
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