No fudging impact of Poppy’s on Hyde

HYDE is experiencing the sweet smell of success after the town became home to a fudge shop that is exceeding all expectations.

To the point its owner has had to take its website down so he can cope with the demand.

Chris Holmes is the brains behind Poppy’s Fudge Pantry, which has proved a hugely welcome addition to Hyde’s Indoor Market since it opened on Friday, October 27.

And an idea that started in Matlock, Derbyshire, has been that big a hit, it has meant visions of how the business would work have had to be changed.

Chris, whose daughter is called Poppy, said: “We began by doing outdoor markets in the summer in Matlock, we’d do that every Wednesday and I was looking for a base for over the winter so I could do my website from wherever I chose.

“I looked at Ashton and they said they didn’t have anything there but they have here, so we came.

“And it’s been really busy. Everyone round here has been so supportive of it. I’m busier than I ever thought I would be – I’ve had to take my website offline so I can manage the stock here.

“I thought I’d go in and have somewhere I can post my online orders from but it’s been that busy, I’ve had to turn the online off for a bit until I get used to managing stock!”

People are snapping up the bars of fudge from Poppy’s in such volume, Chris has found himself selling out of some flavours on certain days.

And customers can also indulge in something that has a magical connection to a certain fictional wizard.

Chris, who is originally from Bury, added: “We buy it from a place called The Fudge Factory in Whitworth.

“They make it all in big cauldrons and lent one to the Harry Potter films, they do all the spells from it. “We only deal with them, I’ve spoken to hundreds of fudge suppliers up and down the country. They can do whatever I want, make flavours and all sorts.

“Fudge comes in two forms – bars or cubes – and they’re made using different boils. Most of the people that sell it sell it like pick’n’mix, so my USP is the bars – you can’t find them anywhere.

“The bars are a lot of work for us, that’s why others don’t do it as they don’t have the time to wrap them like we do.

“Most people buy it loose and sell it loose – this is what sets us apart from everyone else.

“Rum and raisin and Bailey’s are the most popular flavours by far. I’ve actually sold out of Bailey’s. Malteasers is probably the other one.”

Chris’ success dies come with a serious side. It shows Hyde can attract and support new firms that can succeed.

Just the reaction of people walking around the market tells him what effect he has made.

He told The Correspondent: “People are so used to nothing being here, they just have their head down. I’ve had people say, ‘I’ve been all the way around the market, now I’ve found you.’

“And everybody’s said the same thing about a new business popping up in Hyde. I hope we inspire others to and there is the potential.

“I’ve found even now people are saying, ‘Oh my God, we’ve got a fudge shop in Hyde, we can’t believe it.’”

Poppy’s Fudge Pantry, in Hyde Market Hall, is open from 9am until 4pm Monday to Saturday. It charges £4 for a bar, £2.25 for 100 grams or £2.50 for a 100-gram pouch.

Gift boxes containing 200 grams of fudge are also available for £5.

You can email them at sales@poppysfudgepantry.com and you can order by direct message through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/poppysfudgepantry.