Entrepreneur turns to 'crowd funding' to help launch sweet shop in Cleethorpes

“Matthew, Ok lets look at Cleethorpes - firstly it's too seasonal in the actual resort area, probably Pam will tell you that as well. St Peters has a sweet shop already, Grimsby road has a mix of shops with some selling what you would be, and are well established. Also there is a sweet shop already down there, Barcroft St corner or somewhere near.
Grimsby - Lord St has one already, and I know for a fact that 2 people I know are already looking at Grimsby with a view to opening, one is very close to opening.
Now for both towns, you can't go near the town centres because of the extortionate rates partic' Freshney Place. You then need at least a decent size school close by and on route, loads of housing, and then comes the very important footfall, you do need 'Joe public' in high numbers passing your door - you find ALL this in Grimsby/Clee, because I can't think of anywhere that would fit the bill - Good luck anyway. By the way, I'm not at liberty to say where the location of the shop that will be opening is.”

“@Horace1956 - thank you for your words of encouragement. I have done a SWOT analysis and taken a long time going to see the other local confectionery stores - some do sell a small range of American Sweets - my USP is that I will be selling a wider range at much more competitive prices.

@Grimbarian - I was going to try an online site to start with, but there is a lot of competition. I wanted a store as my experience involves running an American sweet store - and I hoped I could become established with a store before I launch a website.

@Sweettrees - Thanks for your kind words Pam. E-factor didn't advise me of that unit - it is what I found. I would like to talk to you, if possible? My email address is matthew.greenacre@gmail.com if you want to drop me a line?

@AndrewClee - matthew.greenacre@gmail.com if you want to message me too?

@Cleggyboy - If there are 2/3 shops popping up in towns etc then where are the ones for Grimsby and Cleethorpes? There are a lot of stores on the internet - which is why I wish to open a store. To be honest, your comments aren't very helpful.

I chose to use a crowd funding platform because I believed the people of Grimsby and Cleethorpes are good at supporting their own and it would help me raise funds. So far I haven't received any funding - so it didn't really work. Instead, I've had a few negative comments just for negative sake. They do not phase me, however, I did think I'd have a lot more support from the people of Grimsby and Cleethorpes - even if it was just to wish me luck - I guess I was wrong.”

“I can just imagine Matthew and this scenario on the tv show Dragons Den - Give me some money, for my new business which will only do reasonably well for the summer months for 0% in my company. Er no sorry - I'M OUT...

Matthew please think again, it's a non starter. These shops are popping up all over, each town has 2/3 of these already, Ebay is full of them, the interweb has hundreds of this type of business.”

“@Matthew

Those who can, DO. Those who can't, teach.

There are several reasons why this wont work Matthew, speaking from experience. Set up a temporary hotmail account and put it on here so i can help you.”

“Hi Matthew, I am the lady that had the sweet shop opposite O'Neills, I am not telling you how to suck eggs but the footfall on the High Street is minimal, even in the tourist season (2 months of good weather if were lucky). The only thing that got me through the long winters was my sweet trees, I dont think American sweets will get the crowds in as not alot of Brits like them. I believe Scotts have 2 units empty on Market Street where the footfall is alot better as people use it as a cut through to the avenue or the beach.

If E-Factor have advised you to look at my old unit on the High Street I would not be too happy as this is where I went wrong with the location on information they gave me.

I hope this info helps and Good Luck x Pam”

“Wouldn't it make more sense to start with an online business (more customers, lower overheads) and then if that becomes successful open a shop? It sounds like you haven't got any funds to fall back on if things take a while to get going.”

“Matthew, I really wish you all the success with your new business venture but the cold reality of business is: Have you undertaken a SWOT analysis and more importantly whats your USP.

There are already confectionary providers in Cleethorpes who offer such a service. Not wanting to dampen your determination however but what makes your business more attractive and unique in comparison to other companies providing the same.

I wish you well though as its something to be admired when having a go and setting out on your own. Very well done.”

“Sounds a little bit risky to me.”

“I think calling Cleethorpes backwards is a little unfair.

I'm not relying solely on tourists as being my target market - Cleethorpes has a brilliant tourist trade which I mentioned, but I am appealing to locals and people in the Grimsby area. Through a lot of research, I've found that people in the area do want something like this - American sweets are hard to get hold of unless you go online etc

It's something different and hopefully will make a lot of people happy.

Other stores may have closed down in the area for a lot of reasons - not just because of the location.

I am trying to get somewhere with business idea and that's why I've tried to gain funding in this way. I am willing to put a lot of work into this shop to make it work - I don't expect to open up tomorrow and expect customers to flood in. The store is just one aspect of the business.

On another note, Sweet Indulgence is a lovely store!”

“I can't think of the appropriate word just now. Slimming clubs and dentists are going to like this, more customers. The NHS may take a dim view however.”