Who is Mr. Swainston?
Swainston's originally opened in Laygate in South Shields by Charlie Swainston. The small shop was popular for selling loose tabacco products alongside sweet treats of the time.
Charlie was a P.E Teacher at Stanhope Road School before he opened his shop which sold a range of loose tobacco for pipe smokers along with shelves full of the confectionary.
Later, his son, Barry Swainston opened his shop in Whiteleas of South Shields. The shop soon became well known as one of the best sweet shops in the area, famous for its seasonal window displays.
Barry and his wife, Nan, ran the Whiteleas shop for many years before they retired in 2013. The shop was sold on and continued to trade as "Swainstons Sweethearts" until 2018.
Why Swainston's?
The Swainston name is well known in South Shields. The moment someone mentions "Swainston's" people are transported back to their childhood. A time when your parents would give you your pocket money and you'd race to Swainstons to spend it
Mr Swainston's pays honour to the two shops set up by Charlie and Barry, but becomes unique in it's own way.
Our name comes from all those children who attended Stanhope Road School, who would have often referred to Charlies shop as "Mr. Swainston's"
We aren't trying to imitate what Charlie and Barry both did. Their shops were special in their own right. The choosing of our name is in honour and admiration of what they both achieved.
What Makes Mr. Swainston's Different?
Times have certainly changed since Charlie and Barry opened their doors each day.
American Candy has become readily available in the UK, giving customers much more choice in terms of their new favourite sweet treat.
Social Media wasn't around for Charlie and Barry and large supermarkets and high street names weren't on the streets. People still shopped local and visisted numerous shops on their weekly shopping day.
Mr. Swainston's aims to bring a touch of nostalgia back and also stir up memories of your childhood. Those who remember the original shops will now have their own children, and perhaps, grand children.
Mr. Swainston's hope that old memories can be ignitied, but that new memories can be made too.
We are a traditional sweet shop in a Modern World.