Gosport jewellery store transformed into waffle, milkshake, and ice cream bar

Previously home to Zirconia Pearls and family business Hug The Jeweller, the site has now become Sweet Unique, which is open for takeaway orders from its premises in 90 High Street.

Penny Schroeder, jeweller Brian Hug’s step-daughter and assistant, is thrilled to bring a new shop to the ailing high street after five months of hard work preparing the store.

The 54-year-old said: ‘We have been trading online since October, delivering pick-and-mix boxes.

‘It’s just been absolutely brilliant – we’ve done really, really well.

‘There’s been more than £30,000 worth of work put into the shop.

‘The site has had a complete re-fit. Everything is brand new.’

She added: ‘It’s not about making loads of money, it’s about making people smile in a really depressing time.’

Sweet Unique’s menu includes pick-and-mix boxes, waffles, and ice creams featuring more than 40 types of sweets.

Penny said: ‘We have all your favourite dolly mix selections.’

The owner is considering deliveries through UberEats – but her priority is bringing more young people into the ‘dying’ town centre.

The grandmother-of-three said: ‘It was just a case of Gosport dying and we wanted to bring something to the town.

‘They took McDonald’s away and there’s nothing for the children in the summer.

‘We’re trying to bring the high street back to life.’

McDonald’s closed its Gosport town centre restaurant in 2018.

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She added: ‘I just think more people need to have the same idea that we did – we don’t need any more big conglomerates to come in. They just take money out of the area. People want more independents.’

Penny’s goldsmith brother is continuing the family’s jewellery tradition from a new premises in the town centre, working at L and A Jewelers in Bemisters Lane.

Sweet boxes range from £5.50 for 500g to £10 for a 1kg.

Takeaway orders are available from 10am to 4pm every day except Wednesdays.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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