Sweet deal for Granny Braid's in Republic

Granny Braid's Fudge, the Northern Irish retro-confectionery business, is celebrating its recent success in the UK Great Taste Awards with a sweet deal in the Republic of Ireland.

The confectioner, based at Ballymena in County Antrim, has agreed a distribution deal that has seen its award winning fudge on the shelves on garage forecourts in the Republic.

Granny Braid's, set up last year by Peter Robinson, gained gold stars for two products - Luxury Fudge and Traditional Irish Fudge - in the Great Taste Awards has been on sale in convenience stores in Northern Ireland.

The small business is also fielding enquiries from confectioners in Great Britain.

As well as handmade fudge, the business has launched a range of confectionery favourites including Chelsea Whoppers, a chocolatey fudge that's dipped in cocoa, a classic once popular with children in Glasgow, Belfast and other cities across the UK.

Other popular sweets developed by the company include macaroon and raspberry ripple bars, all carrying 'handmade luxuries' slogan.

Robinson says: "Securing our first business outside Northern Ireland is a tremendous boost and will enable us to reach a diverse market in the Republic.

"Winning Great Taste awards has been great for the business and tremendously encouraging for me personally. Running my own business is something I had always wanted to do.

"Of course it's hard work, anything worth doing well is. It's very satisfying seeing my confectionery on the shelves in shops in many parts of Northern Ireland and attracting inquiries from Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland," he adds.

A native of Troon in Scotland, he brings to the small enterprise considerable experience in sales and as a pastry chef.

He came up with the Granny Braid's Fudge identity to help to showcase the homemade nature of the products and the company's location close to the Braid river in Ballymena. He uses quality ingredients to produce fudge and another five products.

The fudge recipe came from a family friend in Scotland. The branding and packaging he developed himself.

"My objective is to grow the company by expanding sales here and developing business in both Great Britain and the Republic. A number of outlets have already been established in Dublin, Cork and Kilkenny," he adds.

As well as being on sale in convenience outlets, the company takes part in local farmers' markets. It has also exhibited at a major food exhibition in Birmingham.