AS LOCKDOWN closed one door for Beccie French, a children’s entertainer for the last 12 years, another soon opened.

Inevitably, COVID-19 put paid to her work plans for the time being, at least, but this also led to her and partner Matty Mercer setting up a sweet new venture.

Named after Matty’s mother, and the grandmother of Beccie and Matty’s child, ‘Granny Pats Tuck Shop’ was initially based in Seaforth, Liverpool in 2020.

Despite neither Beccie or Matty, who had formerly worked as a chef, having any experience in the confectionary industry, business quickly boomed, leading them to open a second shop in Prestatyn in June 2021.

Selling old-fashioned sweets and modern treats, such as freshly-popped rainbow popcorn, Whippy Tray ice creams, and rock and candy floss, the Prestatyn shop proved such a success that Beccie and Matty have now closed their Liverpool branch to focus solely on the High Street store.

Beccie said: “I still do face painting for the likes of Tesco, ASDA and the BBC, but obviously, COVID hit and I couldn’t do it. Matty’s been a chef all his life, but decided to come and work with me.

“We’d always gone on holiday here, and when we originally chose Prestatyn, there were no other sweet shops.

“We just love Prestatyn; it’s very touristy. It’s such a great town and has such a buzz.”

Aided by a flurry of holidaymakers visiting Prestatyn during their early summer weeks, Beccie has helped keep trade ticking along steadily thanks to a TikTok-inspired series of live videos on the shop’s Facebook page twice a week.

During these live streams, people can choose mystery boxes or pick their own sweets to be boxed up and sent out.

Beccie added: “We also do online ‘live’ sales on a Tuesday and Thursday for people who live further away, but still want the excitement of seeing their order picked packed and posted.

“In the summer, we had a queue outside the door every single day, and in the winter, I’ve been doing my Facebook Lives to try and make up for that balance with no tourists.

“If a customer walks though the door, we know what they’re having; we know them that well already.”

Granny Pats Tuck Shop, 12 High St, Prestatyn, LL19 9BB.

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/gptuckshopprestatyn.

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