‘He's a sharp cookie’: new owner ready to reopen world's oldest sweet shop

24-year-old Ben Howie yet to serve his first customers in Pateley Bridge attraction owing to lockdown

A 24-year-old entrepreneur in the Yorkshire Dales is gearing up to reopen the doors of the world's oldest sweet shop after becoming the new owner.

Ben Howie has taken over the Oldest Sweet Shop in the World, a Guinness World Record-holding tourist attraction in Pateley Bridge, but is yet to scoop a single pound of pear drops at the counter because of lockdown restrictions.