Bittersweet goodbye for Rutland sweet shop

By Evie Payne

21st Mar 2024 | Local News

An Oakham-based sweet shop is saying a bittersweet goodbye to its physical store, but will still be doing trade online.

Warner's Sweets will be shutting up shop later this month, having opened in the county town of Rutland in December 2021.

Owned and run by Chris Warner, the Oakham-based shop was a popular spot for sweets, ice-cream, milkshake and more. It was initially locate on Market Street, before relocating to Rutland Garden Centre in Ashwell last year.

Having put a great deal of effort into the business, Chris has become a much-loved member of the community, despite only moving to the area with his family from Essex in 2020.

The shop has very much been a family affair, with his teenage kids helping out with online advertising, design and more.

Following his launch on TikTok last year, the online sales skyrocketed for the small business, prompting Chris to move his sales exclusively online.

The team relocated from Market Street, Oakham, to Ashwell's Rutland Garden Village last year. Image credit: Nub News.

Chris Warner took to Facebook to share the news: "Warners Sweets is closing.....

"I have come to the decision to close our physical shop in Oakham. We will remain online and TikTok, selling all our sweets and offering our wedding carts hire too.

"It's been a great experience and I have learnt a lot in my time, from opening, to ice cream, to Christmas and more.

"I've not given up, you can't make something when it's not there, time to alter our path and go 100% online.

"Thank you for all your support and hope you will order in the future from our online stores."

Rutland residents have shared their disappointment that the shop will be closing, have has asked Chris and the team to consider bringing an ice-cream machine and sweet stall to Oakham Market in the summer months.

The physical shop, located at Rutland Garden Centre, will be hosting a closing down sale on 23 and 24 March.

However, Warner's Sweets will continue to work with local businesses, and will be selling his Sweets at the much-loved family attraction, Rutland Farm Park - so watch this space.