Sweet dreams for new Penicuik business

Penicuik Hunter 2019 Fraser Howie set-up Pentland Sweets during the lockdown to supply treats directly to people’s homes. His new business venture has been so successful he decided to open the town centre shop on Monday.

So why did Fraser come up with Pentland Sweets?

“I saw a gap in the market. But also to help the local community – people who weren’t able to get to the shops during lockdown,” he said.

“Obviously supermarkets were open but there were big queues so people were scared to go into them. So I made up goody bags for people and it’s nice and safe delivered straight to their doorstep.

“I was finding when I first started it was a buzz for people.

“Folk were putting good reviews on Facebook saying it brought excitement to their kids. That was seven weeks ago. From a unit shop in Penicuik. I rented a room out.

“I would go to the cash and carry and get big packets of sweets, cakes and crisps and make up ‘deal boxes’ for customers to enjoy. It was a massive mix of stuff.

“I then had to employ someone to help me as it had blown up. We have got more than 2000 followers on Facebook and 1,300 on Instagram.

“People kept using us as they couldn’t get the stuff anywhere else.

“Then we decided to start delivering further afield and now we deliver all over Midlothian and Edinburgh.”

Pentland Sweets has delivered free boxes of treats to local care homes and offered a discount for key workers.

While deliveries will continue at weekends, Fraser now hopes to serve locals at his new shop on John Street.

He said: “We had a fantastic six or seven weeks and then this shop lease came up. I noticed a massive passing trade and I wanted to help brighten up Penicuik.

“I’m Penicuik born and bred. The local community means so much to me. But the town has died a death of late and that makes me sad.

“I’m hoping that the shop is successful and the people of Penicuik like our service.

“I’m also bringing jobs into the community. I employ local people. At the moment it’s just a couple but I will need more going forward.

“There is a massive risk to it. If it doesn’t work out, personally I will struggle. But I have decided to take the risk and I hope it will pay off.

“The whole world is facing a massive problem just now and the economy will suffer for years.

“But if I can be successful, it gives back to the community and provides jobs.”