BOSSES at an historic sweet shop say they are ‘optimistic’ about the future despite the business going into administration.
Stockleys Sweets, which is based in the Oswaldtwistle Mills complex, on Colliers Street, is a subsidiary of Stoke-on-Trent-based firm Mr Lucky Bags Ltd.
Both Mr Lucky Bags Ltd and Stockleys Sweets have been placed in administration and Pricewaterhouse Coopers has been called in to manage their affairs.
In a statement released by Pricewaterhouse Coopers, it was revealed that a ‘difficult trading period’ following a ‘downturn in the retail sector’ was behind the move.
Stockleys Sweets employs 38 people but it is understood there are currently no plans for any redundancies and a buyer is being sought for the businesses.
Phil Lawson, general manager of the store said: "We are very optimistic about the situation and everyone is very upbeat about things.
"As I always say, we are world-famous in Accrington. If we are able to find a buyer, all jobs will be maintained.
"We have no plans for redundancies yet."
Stuart Maddison and Steve Ellis have been appointed as joint administrators.
Mr Maddison said: "Mr Lucky Bags and Stockleys are two well-established businesses.
"The immediate priority following our appointment is to seek a buyer for the businesses as a going concern.
"To that end, we invite any interested parties to contact us as soon as possible.
"While this process takes place, we will be relying on the support of our customers, suppliers and of course the employees to enable us to fulfill outstanding orders."
The historic firm was founded after the First World War by Malcolm Stockley who started in a shed in High Street in Riley’s Hill.
Among other things, the firm has had stands at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and exhibited its goods at the World Exhibition in San Francisco in 1939.
Any interested parties should contact Julie Skelly at Pricewaterhouse Coopers on 01509 604194.
Administrators announced that the two remaining subsidiaries of Mr Lucky Bags Ltd – Dovedale Confectionery Ltd and Toontastic Publishing Ltd – are not in administration.
The firm has been based in Oswaldtwistle Mills since 1994 and owned by Mr Lucky Bags Ltd since 2004.
