Horrified parents say American candy stores invading Britain’s high streets are getting schoolkids ‘hooked’ on sweets.
Worried families have accused some of the stores of luring children in with exotic confectionery and bright signs while also stocking vapes.
saw children as young as five queuing up for sweets as we spoke to mums and dads in Ipswich, Cardiff, Derby and Bradford where a number of the stores have popped up in town centres and shopping parades.
However, there is no indication that any of the stores mentioned or pictured in this story have sold any vapes to minors.
The tacky shops stick out like a sore thumb with bright signage and flashing lights while music blares out from inside like an amusement arcade.
Inside staff boasted about products being delivered to kids via JustEat after bestsellers skyrocketed in popularity when pushed by influencers on TikTok.
One shopper said: ‘I don’t agree with them at all. With the colours and the bright lights, it’s targeting kids isn’t it? 100 per cent.’
Mexican Candy store in Ipswich that sells American sweets and vapes
Kingdom of American Sweets and Vapes in Ipswich where locals have complained about the ‘garish’ appearance of new stores
American Candy Store is one of several similar shops that have opened in Ipswich town centre
It comes after revealed last year that American-style sweet stores on Oxford Street are being investigated by Westminster City Council amid allegations they have evaded more than £8million worth of business rates.
The iconic shopping street is still blighted by more than 20 US candy stores despite a third of the sweet shops shutting down in the past year – with three closing last month alone.
MPs have now pledged to launch a crackdown on ‘dodgy’ candy stores as part of plans to revitalise Britain’s high streets.
But Ipswich Borough Council could take a closer look at its planning rules after four American candy stores recently cropped up in the town centre – with three on the same street.
JR’s Candy, American Candy Store and Kingdom of American Sweets and Vapes are all on Carr Street, in the main shopping district of the town.
Councillor Carole Jones said officials at the borough are having a new look at the rules regarding external painting after the shops’ fronts infuriated many residents.
‘They can be quite garish and can look out of place in the town centre – so we are looking at the rules to see if they can be tightened up,’ she said.
Ms Jones also expressed concerns over the impact on children’s health from selling brightly-coloured sweets next to vapes in the same store.
She said: ‘We may contact the county council about sending in their trading standard offices to look at whether any children are buying vapes from these shops.’
Sanaullah Nizazai, who owns two stores in Ipswich, as well as others across the country, said his business is completely legitimate.
‘I have all my accounts filed and I am happy for anyone to look at them,’ he said.
His staff were friends or members of his family and have been trained to make sure no vapes were ever bought by underage customers.
‘That can be difficult because you get youngsters trying to buy them – but we always insist on identification before we sell any vaping material,’ he said.
Locals in the Suffolk town have expressed concern over the ‘disgusting’ appearance of new stores and the safety concerns for children, with one setting up shop just weeks ago.
There are now several shops offering vapes and American style sweets – with names like ‘Kingdom of American Sweets and Vapes’ and ‘Mexican Candy’ with enticing displays in the windows.
However, there is no indication that any of the stores have sold any vapes to minors.
Mother-of-three Rebecca told : ‘It is wrong that these shops make such a big deal of appealing to kids.
‘Sometimes there is a strong smell in the town centre because so many youngsters are doing it.’
Mum-of-two Hayley said: ‘I would like to see less vaping – but it seems teenagers get hooked on sweets and then try vaping because they think it is healthier than smoking – and less fattening than sweets.
‘Sometimes walking through the town centre you see vaping debris everywhere – kids are getting hooked and if you ask them why they do it, they just say that it’s healthier than smoking cigarettes.
‘But it can’t be healthy for a young teenager to vape.
‘These shops are too tempting – but it’s depressing because although there are claims that vaping may be better than cigarettes, it’s still not good for anyone’s health.’
Bridget Coleman, 59, who lives in the town, said: ‘These shops are just too tempting for young people.
‘I think it’s seriously worrying – and depressing – to see them springing up all over the place here in Ipswich.’
Locals also blasted the stores online, with a furious local writing on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Sweets and a vape shop? What are we letting our children into? Disgusting.’
Another said: ‘Hopefully will get shut down before it opens, disgraceful.’
A third joked: ‘Just what the town needs.’
A bright pink American and Mexican candy store cropped up in Ipswich in November, causing outrage on social media. One person joked: ‘Amazing how it blends so well. You wouldn’t even know it was there.’
In Bradford found stores have even resorted to selling their items on JustEat, with no minimum spend required.
Candy Crunch, in the city centre, is a hit with teenagers drawn in by its graffiti-style shop front and bright blue and pink interior, where neon lights spell out ‘candy’ in large letters
We watched school-aged youngsters buy American-brand sweets from the shop with or without their parents.
Father-of-one Steve Watson, 42, spent £11 on eight items for his 14-year-old son but was less than impressed.
He said: ‘It’s so expensive for what it is. We were in America and paid 50 cents for a pack of Jolly Ranchers. Here, they’re a fiver.
‘But the kids are going mad for it. It’s a trend – they’re all at it.
‘They load up on sweets and then get on their computers.’
Five candy stores sprung up across Bradford over the past three years – one of them is Candy Crunch (pictured)
A teenage schoolboy leaves Candy Crunch in Bradford with a bag full of sweets
Ella McShera, 24, said the US candy stores ‘targeted kids’ with their use of bright lights and vibrant signage
Five candy stores sprung up across Bradford, the UK’s 2024 City of Culture, over the past three years.
But at least three have already shut down.
Locals have called on the council to be tougher on allowing the shops to open.
Nathaniel Roper, 34, said: ‘They’re c***, aren’t they? They [the sweets] cost an absolute bomb and they’re packed with sugar.
‘It’s no good – you’re seeing them more and more and the target market is kids and teenagers.
‘Every shop round here is selling sweets, vapes or fireworks.’
And Ella McShera, 24, added: ‘I don’t agree with them at all.
‘With the colours and the bright lights, it’s targeting kids isn’t it? 100 per cent.
‘My cousin’s 15 and she’s obsessed with these candy shops. It’s not good because all she does is eat sweets and they’re loaded with sugar.
‘I’ve got a friend who owns a candy store in Leeds and they deliver to people all over the city. It’s really well known and popular.
‘There probably needs to be more regulation because they are starting to pop up everywhere.
‘Everywhere you look there’s a vape shop or a sweet shop.’
Adeel Rehman, who co-owns Candy Crunch, said the store bought its sweets from ‘reputable UK importers’ and did not sell vapes.
He said: ‘In our pursuit of sustainability and value, we have strategically maintained competitive pricing.
‘Our commitment to affordability is evident in our pricing structure, which, in comparison to online alternatives, often reflects a significant reduction, sometimes up to half the cost.
‘This approach has been pivotal to our enduring presence in the market over the past 3-4 years.
‘Our product offerings mirror those available through online platforms, such as eBay and Amazon, but with the distinct advantage of considerably lower costs and expedited shipping. This has positioned us as a preferred choice for discerning customers seeking both quality and economic prudence.
‘It is our sincere commitment to fostering a fair and transparent business environment.’
Staff and customers at Cardiff’s three American candy shops say the biggest driving force behind sales is YouTube and TikTok.
Oscar Herbert, 20, who works at Americandy in the city’s Queen’s Arcade said: ‘Our best sellers are from stuff that gets put onTikTok, and YouTube, often by influencers.
‘Kids see American sweets and want to try them for themselves
‘We are busy, especially around Christmas – we do a sweet hamper for £23 and that’s good value because it includes the packaging.’
The current best seller is bizarrely not even sweet – teenagers are coming in for pickled cucumber in a pouch.
Oscar said the shop gets children coming in on their own and with their parents. He estimates the average age of customer is 14 to 15.
The shop has a five-star hygiene rating but no warnings about the high sugar content of the sweets that stack the shelves.
Oscar said: ‘Most people are aware that the American stock has a higher sugar content. We sell an American version of Fanta, people prefer it because there’s more sugar in it than in the British cans.’
Staff and customers at Cardiff’s three American candy shops say the biggest driving force behind sales is YouTube and TikTok (pictured, Americandy in Queens Arcade, Cardiff)
Kingdom of Sweets in Cardiff (pictured) has thumping music, garish lighting and the heavy smell of processed sugar in the air
Staff in Kingdom of Sweets in Cardiff (pictured) said their top sellers were ‘anything that’s been on TikTok’
The shop sells pick’n’mix for £1.39 per 100 grams but the bigger sellers are American imports Jolly Rancher, Rips and Air Heads.
Americandy has a strong US theme with a giant statue of Uncle Sam in the corner and the stars and strips everywhere.
But it looks low key compared to Kingdom of Sweets 50 yards away in the city’s Queen Street. It’s like stepping into an amusement arcade with thumping music, garish lighting and the heavy smell of processed sugar in the air.
The shop has a Slush Factory in one corner and a Photo Booth where customers can pose up with their bags of sweets in front of Kingdom of Sweets branding.
Staff declined to be interviewed but when asked for their top selling products a shop assistant said: ‘Anything that’s been on TikTok.’
Last week we revealed how Kingdom of Sweets is run by a ‘sugar king’ Mr Big and his sidekick brother-in-law.
Chase ‘Candy Man’ Manders, 42, is the secretive owner of the Kingdom of Sweets empire, which has more than 15 branches including high profile shops in London’s West End including several on world famous Oxford Street.
And supporting Manders – whose empire is at the centre of a major investigation over £4.5million of alleged missing business rates – in his business as well some of his exotic foreign travels is his brother-in-law, Charles Hart, we have learned.
Customers were queueing up at Sugarbox in the St David’s 2 shopping centre in Cardiff and some were as young as five.
Part-time assistant Claire Pell, 51, said: ‘They come here asking for a named brand they’ve seen on TV and social media.
‘I’m new but Sugarbox has been trading here in Cardiff for seven years. Christmas was really busy – we sold out of Jolly Ranchers.’
Natasha Addiscott, 36, who runs an embroidery business in Aberdare, spent £16 on goodies from Sweetbox for her three children aged, eight, five and three.
She said: ‘I’m aware it’s terrible for their teeth, our dentist wouldn’t be very pleased.
‘But it’s an after Christmas treat, the children love them especially if they’ve seen something on TikTok and want to try something new.’
A Cardiff Council spokesperson confirmed that the selling of confectionary is not a licensable activity, so the council cannot restrict the sale of these products if they are otherwise legal to sell.
The council said it doesn’t have any powers to stop a private landlord from renting their commercial property to a tenant to carry out their business, if their business is legal and in line with UK Law.
In Derby, where there are two American candy stores, shoppers called them to be ‘banned’.
One local shopper, walking past Candy Kingdom in East Street, said: ‘I’d never go in there.
‘There’s too much sugar in all that candy and it rots your teeth. You only get one set and you’re meant to look after your teeth!’
The grandma, who declined to be named, said: ‘I’d prefer shops like this to be banned. I don’t approve.
‘But the younger generation have got the taste for sugar, including my 10-year-old grandson who I’m always trying to stop eating sweets’
A candy store owner said his pensioners ranged from ‘kids to pensioners’.
Dee Singh, owner of Candy Kingdom, who opened his shop a year ago, said: ‘We do well here. We sell American, UK and Japanese candy and drinks, also vapes.’
He pointed out that the most popular US treats were Nerds gummy clusters priced at £2.99.
Sales assistant Mani Singh said customers should have a choice of whether they wanted to buy sweets or not, saying: ‘Health experts are always saying not to eat or drink this or that. Let the customer decide.
‘They like the variety of sweets we sell and the Japanese cola drink at £3.99 is a big seller too. Anything in moderation.’
Candy Kingdom in Derby where American sweets and vapes are sold in the window
Dee Singh, owner of Candy Kingdom in Derby (pictured), said his customers range from ‘kids to pensioners’
Vapes on sale in the window of Candy Kingdom confectionary shop in Derby
Meanwhile, shoppers were urged to boycott a ‘disgusting’ American sweets pop-up shop in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire in September selling sweets, vapes and energy drinks.
Town councillors said the shop has encouraged children to purchase overpriced items which are bad for them and the environment, local media reported.
Deputy Mayor Kellie Hinton said the shop looked ‘absolutely disgusting’, adding: ‘I don’t think it’s right that we have three places in Bell Street alone where kids can go and pick up extortionately priced imported American sweets, phone cases from wherever – probably China because they are so cheap – and disposable vapes.
‘I don’t think it ties in with anything we are trying to do to save the environment. I don’t think it is very green. I don’t think it’s healthy for our children. My own children are personal targets.
‘Once you go inside the doors, which my children forced me to do, it is marginally better than the disgusting window displays.
‘I also think it looks disgusting with the red advertising tape around it. I looked up and felt I was in Reading, not Henley.
‘Perhaps in the first instance a gentle nudge from our town centre manager might help them go the right way about things because I don’t like them here. I don’t want them here and I don’t think I’m the only one who feels that way.’
In May, a ‘controversial’ candy store in Buttermarket near Canterbury Cathedral suddenly closed down after it had long been the subject of criticism over its bright pink exterior, KentOnline reported.
The shop first raised concerns when it took over the site in September 2021, very near the beautiful cathedral.
Commenting about the pink paint covering the store, one sceptic said: ‘How did that colour get planning permission?’ Another added: ‘It’s hardly keeping with the aesthetic.’
Workers were spotted on the site in May adding a fresh coat of light grey paint and working on the inside of the store too.
Westgate councillor Michael Dixey said it was ‘a shame to see any business close down’ but said he had first-hand knowledge of concerns about the shop.
‘Going back a few years, I have had complaints about the colour scheme,’ the deputy leader of Canterbury City Council said.
‘Obviously the council has no control over what it could be, we can’t dictate what sort of store it is.’
In October it was reported that the crackdown on Oxford Street’s candy stores appeared to be working after the number blighting the road dropped by a third in a year to 21 from a peak of 30.
Westminster City Council officials have been trying to rid London’s iconic shopping street of the tacky shops, which have replaced household names and blighted the area.
The council has been working with Trading Standards on a probe into the American-style shops amid allegations some have evaded millions in business rates.
But the number of sweet shops keeps fluctuating, with the council playing ‘whack-a-mole’ as new stores continually open up in different locations while others close.
In October a report by the council’s overview and scrutiny committee said it has ‘ramped up the pressure on candy stores, souvenir and vape shops’ – with some freeholders even inviting Trading Standards to act so they can begin legal action against tenants.
Bridget Coleman, 59, said it was ‘depressing’ to see so many of the sweet shops open in Ipswich. Pictured, U.S candy store Kingdom of American Sweets & Vapes
A worker adjusts the display in an American-style candy shop on Oxford Street in July
A raid on American candy stores on Oxford Street in October 2022 saw the council seize £215,000 worth of fake Gucci phone cases, vapes and counterfeit rucksacks in a crackdown
The council seized a haul of fake Wonka chocolate bars worth £22,000 which were among counterfeit products totalling £100,000 seized from three Oxford Street stores in June 2022
It will be a boost to the West End, which has become blighted by the gaudy shops after established retailers such as Debenhams, House of Fraser and Topshop shut.
The report said London’s reputation for attracting global investors in residential and commercial property was under threat from a ‘growing minority of these investors’ using the area for money laundering, fraud and other economic crime.
The Oxford Street area has become hit by crime and homelessness in recent years having fallen into disrepair with empty shops, littered streets and dwindling numbers of visitors.
But Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council, said that US candy stores closing showed that the tide was turning on Oxford Street.
He told : ‘The drop in the number of candy stores is proof that consistent action against unscrupulous traders is making life sour for the sweet shop racket.
‘We have energetically pursued unscrupulous traders who sell unsafe or fake goods, impounding more than £1million of items in 18 months.
‘Enforcement action, schemes to encourage pop-up entrepreneurs and our planned £90million programme to overhaul Oxford Street will, I hope, continue to reduce the numbers of candy stores.
‘The reality is the candy stores form part of a sophisticated operation which is skilled at exploiting UK legal loopholes.
‘Westminster City Council is taking determined action against dirty money, so we will keep working with central Government to clamp down on this activity.’