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.