Girls chuffed to mintballs

FROM money box to Choc Box — that’s the short journey made by Natalie Davies, who has had a major change of career.

The Watersheddings woman has quit her job at the neighbouring Lees branch of Barclays Bank — with whom she spent six years — to take over the sweet shop in St Thomas Parade.

Working with her sister-in-law Tanya Burbidge, also from Watersheddings, Natalie has extended the opening hours and the range of products with more than 200 assorted sweets now available from old favourites like coltsfoot rock and liquorice sticks to Montezuma truffles at several pounds more expensive than the children’s favourites.

Choc Box also offers fruit and fruit-pie scented candles . . . “hopefully the sweet smell of success,” says Tanya.

Natalie said: “We took a long, hard look at the business and decided we could make a go of it.

“We were both working in Lees village and knew the potential and we are working hard to offer new lines like our bridal table and our sweet buffet.

“We are next going to offer a delivery service to nursing and care homes so the residents can have a choice of sweets and chocolates.”