A NEW sweet shop has opened its doors just in time for Christmas.

A Quarter of Sweetalicious on Bruce Street opened at the start of last week and is already gaining popularity.

Violet North, owner, said: “I have had a lot of interest, a lot of positivity. What I'm doing is providing vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal as well because nobody else is.

“I saw this shop empty and a seed was planted, my husband’s a builder so he did it all and everything is from my imagination.

“It is just little old me who has never done this in her life, winging it with technology and everything, but everyone has been so sweet and kind and positive.”

The idea for the shop struck Violet after she worked in supermarkets for a few years and wanted a change.

She offers free fudge on a Friday for passers-by, to connect with the community.

“I’ve got a thing called fudge corner and I have got 25 flavours,” Violet said. “It's Christmas time so I have got marzipan, Christmas cake and mince pie, which is just flying out the door.

“It is just so I have got something to give, it starts a conversation with people. It is very humbling, I am very emotional thinking about it, it is really nice.”

The shop has something for everyone and sweets to fit every dietary requirement.

She said: “I have had a lot of interest in vegan, and they are actually sharing it on vegan pages which I think is really good.

“I purchased a lot of my stuff from individual back-sellers who are retailers themselves and hand-make a lot of it.

“So it is all quality stuff, you’ll not find it in Tesco, you can only purchase it if you have a bricks and mortar shop.”

Though she does not have any customer favourites yet, Violet certainly has her own personal weaknesses: “I love, love, love strawberry liquorice stripes, and the white chocolate fish and chips,” she said. “I am having a wee taste of everything because if I want people to buy it I need to know what it tastes like.

“I have 170 jars so I have not got through them all yet!.”