Sheffield retro: These 42 photos give mouth-watering look back at the city’s sweet-making heritage

Sheffield takes pride in being the origin of two globally cherished confectionery treats. The city is likewise celebrated as the birthplace of tinned travel sweets, as well as the location where famed chocolatier Thorntons launched its first ever store. Our rich tradition of crafting sweets goes back a long way.

The nostalgic images showcase many of the beloved confectionery treats crafted in the city, alongside several popular shops where local children purchased their sugary treats over the decades. These pictures offer a captivating glimpse into the sweet-making process, capturing candies being boiled, tinted, and stretched into shape.

Featured throughout this retro photo gallery are old moulds used to produce Jelly Babies, quite literally forged right here in Sheffield, as well as the iconic Bertie Bassett mascot greeting local youths.

The collection reveals how both the factories and their products evolved over time, even though many traditional techniques remain largely unchanged.

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Bassett’s were brilliant

Founded in Sheffield by George Bassett in 1842, George Bassett & Co (commonly known as Bassett's) continues to produce confectionery, including Jelly Babies and Liquorice Allsorts, at its Owlerton facility. Now under the ownership of Mondelez International following a merger with Maynards to form Maynards Bassetts, the company holds a storied place in local history.

According to legend, Liquorice Allsorts came about by accident in 1899 when sales representative Charlie Thompson dropped a sample tray, accidentally mixing up different liquorice candies.

Simpkin’s Travel Sweets

Travel sweets originated in Sheffield through the renowned family business Simpkins. Established by Albert Leslie Simpkin after his service in the First World War, where he sustained injuries at the Battle of the Somme, the firm came up with the idea for hard-boiled travel sweets while Albert was recovering from shrapnel wounds.

Injured soldiers were supplied with liquid glucose, which proved messy; Albert reasoned that boiling it into solid sweets would offer a clean alternative, creating the tinned travel candies that have aided countless long drives ever since. Operating on Hunter Road in Hillsborough since 1921, Simpkins currently manufactures roughly five million sweets each week. I should have a fair idea, I always keep a tin of them in my car.

Maxons sweets

Situated on Bradbury Street in Meersbrook, Maxons is another long-standing Sheffield confectionery maker with roots tracing back to 1885. Their product line features traditional favorites such as cola cubes, pear drops, rhubarb and custards, and Yorkshire Mixture.

Thorntons chocolates

Thorntons launched on Norfolk Street in Sheffield city centre in October 1911, when founder Joseph Thornton opened its inaugural shop, the Chocolate Kabin. During its early expansion, Joseph’s son Norman and brother Stanley crafted signature sweets including 'Sweet Lips', 'Violet Cachous', and 'Phul-Nanas'.

By the 1920s, the company was crafting crystallised fondants, chocolate truffles, and its renowned Thorntons special toffee.

At its peak, Thorntons ran a factory in Woodseats, Sheffield, and employed 4,500 individuals across more than 370 high street stores and 229 franchise counters nationwide. While high street storefronts are no longer open, the brand maintains its confectionery sales online.

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From the 1800s to modern times, these historic sweet makers demonstrate Sheffield's rich heritage in sweet production, showing confectionery being manufactured, tested, and packaged across local facilities.

Is your favourite sweet among those pictured being made, and do these photos bring back any happy memories of trips to the sweet shop as a child?

Do these pictures bring back memories of childhood visits to the sweet shop, and can you spot your top treat being crafted in the selection?

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