Norfolk Jar Kitchen's Norfolk Show pick 'n' mix offering

Charlotte Ward, who runs sweet company Norfolk Jar Kitchen from her home in Bircham Newman in west Norfolk, launched her sweet pouches after hearing about parents left in awkward situations when their kids inadvertently wracked up huge bills at sweet stalls.

Owner of Norfolk Jar Kitchen, Charlotte Ward, with her sweet pouches at the Royal Norfolk Show (Image: Norfolk Jar Kitchen)

As a mum of two, she said she knows how difficult it can be for parents who want to give their kids a treat but are nervous about the unknown cost of this type of purchase.

She said: “I heard about people getting to the till and being charged like £60 for a bag of sweets.

"Times are so tough that could be your last £60, and that’s a horrible situation to be in.

"I wanted to make something that’s actually affordable for people.”

At £2.99 for 250 grams of retro sweets, compared to an average of £4.35 for the same weight in pick 'n' mix at the cinema, Ms Ward says they offer a saving of just over 45pc.

And based on her sales at this year’s Royal Norfolk Show, it seems parents appreciate her transparent approach.

She said: “We smashed our targets for the show. We sold over 500 of the sweet pouches, and more than 750 other sweet items.

"We’ve made it affordable for all families which is why I think do so well.”

Looking ahead, Ms Ward says she sees the business continuing to grow.

Owner of Norfolk Jar Kitchen, Charlotte Ward, with her sweet pouches at the Royal Norfolk Show (Image: Norfolk Jar Kitchen)

Earlier this year she quit her job as a financial advisor, after realising it would be a full-time job keeping up with order numbers.

Ms Ward said: “From posting a few items on Facebook our orders have exploded, and we’re now stocked in big shops like Jarrolds.

"Even though we are in these luxury shops though our focus is still making sure all our products are affordable.”