Bitter sweet war

Published 26 Mar 2010 17:12 8 Comments

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THE owner of Reading's only independent sweet shop fears it could go out of business after a national rival set up a few yards away.

Lisa Strange set up Strange Sweets in the Harris Arcade in October 2008 but a franchise of Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe is opening in Queen Victoria Street about 30 yards away.

She said: "When I heard about them setting up, I felt sick. I just said, 'that will kill us'."

Lisa and other Harris traders have fought unsuccessfully to get advertising signs or A boards at the arcade entrances.

Now she feels her lack of visibility could cost her the business.

She said: "It will be incredibly difficult for me to compete with a national franchise. They are an established national company, not a small business like me who has given up a well-paid job to try to bring something unique to the town.

"I have worked my socks off to achieve what we have."

Lisa had tried to create an indoor market for her and other independents at the former Officers Club unit in Broad Street but high rents made it impossible.

She added: "Small traders are in danger of becoming obsolete."

A spokesman for Mr Simms declined to comment.

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Paul
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Mar 31, 17:36
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I've been through the Harris Arcade a few times recently; don't recall seeing a sweet shop - perhaps they need to improve their shop front?

Also I don't recall ever seeing an advert for them?

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JUNE HOUGHTON
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Apr 27, 14:33
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whats wrong with competition and freedoom of choice x

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john elery
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Apr 28, 19:04
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I've been a regular at Strange sweets but find their opening times are hit and miss. sometimes they'll be closed at 12 o clock so i'm had togo to Mr simms as they're always open.

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moonbeem
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Apr 29, 08:21
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Strange sweets sells a lot of American chocolates and candies that we don't get here, Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe sells more traditional sweets and is also more expensive, strange sweets just needs to advertise more. PS I like the idea of an indoor market in Reading it would be nice to have a bit of variety for a change.

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Jamie Moles
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May 2, 12:01
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I've been a customer of Strange Sweets since it opened - Lisa stocks the sweets I like and she will go out of her way to get in stock things you like if she doesn't have them. In addition Mr Simms is *horrendously* expensive! I went in there close to opening day to see what it was like and bought some chewy vampire fang sweets from under the counter - wasn't until I thought about it that I realised I was charged 15p per fang! That's terribly expensive, I'm pretty sure they're supposed to be more like 5p per sweet.

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Gareth
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May 4, 15:22
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IM a market trader which has just started in reading town market i believe in having a wide choice of new and old fashioned sweets on a picknmix basis all on a one price per 100g basis. I think it is very important to always keep stock turning over so people can always have the freshest sweets possible. I even offer free samples of all the sweets i carry in stock for you to be sure they the right sweets you like before you buy. customer should always have a choice and maybe competion will help people realise the wide choices of great fresh sweets on the market, rather than the big stores which always makes the cheap copies. thanks gareth picknmix on the market. wed,thurs and saturday's

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JMarsh
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May 7, 12:54
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I have only lived in Reading for 18 months, but as soon as I got wind of Strange Sweets from people at work, I headed straight over. Lisa is always so lovely, willing to help you with anything you want (even ordering in special items for me for my forthcoming wedding at no profit to her I might add!. I am all for freedom of choice, but I am also for supporting the little people, whose businesses bring a different, diverse and special element to the town and to the shopping experience. I also did a mini visit to Mr Simms, only to be spoken to rudely by a member of staff when I made an enquiry about a price, and to be shocked at their exhorbitant prices. A warning to those that shop there - the prices are infated because of the overheads. The level of service leaves something to be desired. Well Done Lisa on your valiant efforts and long may the success of your and other small business (especially in Harris Arcade) prosper!

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Braveheart
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Dec 15, 14:09
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Considering that this article was written 9 months ago, can someone update us on whether this shop has gone out of business and put us out of our misery.

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