Ah, Barrow-in-Furness! A town known for its shipyards and steelworks, the clang of metal against metal echoing through the streets. But amidst the industrial grit, there existed a haven of sweetness, a veritable oasis for those with a penchant for sugary delights. This, dear reader, is the tale of The Bon Bon, a confectionery emporium that etched itself into the memories (and possibly the dental records) of generations of Barrovians. #BarrowinFurness #LocalHistory #CandyCoatedChaos
Imagine, if you will, the year is 1964. The air is thick with the scent of hairspray and the sound of The Beatles reverberates through every transistor radio. Two audacious ladies, Betty Wilkinson and Wynn Dawson, decide to ditch their sensible Marks & Spencer cardigans and embark on a career path paved with sugar. They take the plunge, not just buying sweets wholesale, but taking over an existing sweet shop and tobacconist’s – a place where one could purchase a packet of Woodbines and a gobstopper in one fell swoop! Talk about a career change that would make your dentist wince! #SugarRushRenegades #FromTillsToToffee
Stepping into The Bon Bon was like stumbling upon a sugary Shangri-La. Rows of gleaming glass jars, their contents shimmering under the warm glow of the shop lights, overflowed with a kaleidoscope of confectionery. Liquorice allsorts, their vibrant hues promising a symphony of flavours, beckoned the adventurous. Sherbet lemons, with their tangy fizz that would make your cheeks pucker, sat alongside pear drops, their sweet aroma filling the air. And oh, the chocolate! Mountains of it, in every imaginable form, from creamy milk chocolate to decadent dark, ensuring there was something to tempt every palate. It was a veritable feast for the senses, a place where the air hung heavy with the sweet promise of indulgence. #SweetToothHaven #CandyComaCentral
But wait! Just as our intrepid confectioners were settling into their sugary domain, disaster struck! Their first home, the once-grand Astra Buildings (formerly the dazzling Ritz Cinema, can you believe it?), began to show its age. Faced with the threat of demolition, Betty and Wynn, these candy-coated warriors, refused to surrender their sweet kingdom. With a determination as firm as a well-boiled sweet, they packed up their jars of bonbons and their cartons of cigarettes (separately, of course, wouldn’t want a smoky pear drop!), and relocated to Paxton Street. The Bon Bon lived on, a testament to their resilience and a beacon of hope for sugar lovers everywhere. #SugarCoatedDefiance #MovingDayMayhem
For 44 glorious years, The Bon Bon remained a haven of sugary happiness. It was a place where sticky fingers were a badge of honour (though perhaps not so much with your mum!), and the friendly banter between the ladies and their customers made you feel like you were part of the family – a slightly eccentric, sugar-obsessed family, but a family nonetheless. Sadly, all good things must come to an end. In June 2008, The Bon Bon closed its doors for good, leaving a bittersweet taste in the mouths (and perhaps a few lingering fillings) of many a Barrow resident. #StickyFingeredMemories #TheEndofanEra
Though the shop may be gone, the memories remain as vibrant as a bag of rhubarb and custards. The Bon Bon evokes a simpler time, a time of penny sweets and childhood wonder. It’s a testament to the joy of carefully selecting your favourite treat (and maybe sneaking an extra sherbet lemon when no one was looking), and to the dedication of two remarkable women who brought smiles (and a touch of hyperactivity) to their community. So next time you find yourself strolling through the streets of Barrow, spare a thought for The Bon Bon. It’s a reminder that even the smallest shops can leave an indelible mark on a town’s history, and that sometimes, the sweetest path in life involves swapping sensible shoes for a lifetime supply of bonbons. #SweetLegacy #BarrowLegends