Shutters come down for the final time on vintage Derbyshire store dubbed 'the best sweet shop in the world'

Dave Walker, 50, spent a lifetime scouring flea markets and antique fairs to kit out the Edward & Vintage sweet shop in Tissington.

After ten years running the business, which customers dubbed “the best sweet shop in the world”, he sold up to relocate to the Orkney Islands.

More than 100 items went under the hammer including the Victorian counter, Bakelite scales, Cadbury’s cabinets, 100-year-old till, sweet jars, scoops, packets of 1940s sugar, enamel signs and a bar of 1920s chocolate.

The treasure trove of sweet shop memorabilia sold for a total of £8,000 at Hansons Auctioneers on Saturday.

Dave said: "I've had the most amazing time and the customers have been brilliant. They're a brilliant bunch of loyal people. I hope people will buy them who’ve enjoyed visiting the shop over the years.

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“I’d love them to have a memory of Edward & Vintage. Or maybe someone somewhere is looking to open a sweet shop.”

Dave, 50, opened Edward & Vintage in 2012 and filled it with his antique finds from over the years, with the store appearing on TV shows including Escape to the Country andCountryfile.

Customers have included Joanna Lumley, Christine Bleakly and comic Micky Flanagan, and visitors have flocked to the shop in Tissington, from as far afield as Japan and Australia.

The shop closed its doors last month and reverted back to being part of the Tissington Estate.