After serving the local community for more than two decades, this beloved former corner shop in Salford is now up for sale.
And it could be yours for just £2.
Sharon and Stuart’s Kandy Kabin – which was once an old fashioned sweet shop that doubled as community hub on Langworthy Road and served the people of Salford for 26 years – is said to be worth in the region of £175,000, but the owners have chosen the unique method of raffling the commercial premises, with tickets costing a mere £2 each and all legal fees covered.
The family-run corner shop was owned by Stuart and Sharon Smyth, who both sadly died in 2012 and 2018 respectively.
The store closed in 2016 after Sharon started chemotherapy.
Stuart passed away aged 49, and Sharon was 50 when she lost her battle with esophageal cancer, leaving the business in the hands of their two children Alex and Tom.
Speaking to the MEN on their decision to raffle off the business, the couple’s daughter Alex, 36, said: “My mum and dad owned the property for 28 years, and in 2018 we lost her to cancer. The shop was like her baby [and] my mum has served so many people in the community,
“The laughing joke was once you entered Sharon’s store, you’d never leave because she kept you talking – It was so much more than your average corner shop.
“Everyone loved it and has so many fond memories of it.”
Alex and Tom – who have been trying to sell the property for years – are not able to take over the family business due to personal commitments and families of their own, and so have made the decision to raffle the property – a method of selling which has become popular during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“It’s been on the market a while,” Alex added.
“We’ve had six offers fall through and banks aren’t borrowing for commercial mortgages.
“I think some people thought I’d take it on, but I have a young family and already run a business of my own [so] the shop would be a massive commitment.
“I watched a house raffle that happened in Manchester and after watching how successful they’ve been, we figured that we’ve got something additional to offer with the commercial property.”
Selling the property on popular website / app Raffall, the business is described as: “An ideally located commercial shop front with a three bedroom property to the rear and the first floor. To the ground there is a shop front, lounge and modern kitchen, and to the first floor are three bedrooms and a family bathroom.
“Located very close to Salford Quay/Media City and excellent transport routes into Manchester City Centre.”
With the raffle closing on Saturday 1st January 2022 at 3:30pm (or when the last ticket is sold – whichever is sooner, Alex and Tom hope the lucky winner will be a fellow business owner who can continue serving the community.
“We want anyone that could make it a success for themselves,” Alex said.
“My mum and dad had so much success over the years, so we’d like to see somebody else continue that.”
You can grab your £2 tickets here, and follow the along Kandy Kabin Raffle journey on Facebook here.
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Manchester has been crowned the most dog-friendly city in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Manchester has earned itself a very special new title
Our city can often be found featured on coveted lists across a wide range of categories. In recent months, Manchester has been named one of the world’s best cities for music lovers, even beating out New York along the way, and has also claimed places on lists such as the world’s most beautiful skylines, best UK cities to visit, and countless more.
But arguably no title is cuter than this one – that’s right, Manchester has been crowned the most dog-friendly city in the UK.
Recent research has shown that around 36% of British households are dog owners, and apparently, the pet care industry is projected to reach £16.5 billion by 2033, so credit company, Capital on Tap, has carried out a study to reveal which are the best UK cities for dog owners.
Manchester has been crowned the most dog-friendly city in the UK (Credit: Mylo Kaye (via Unsplash/The Pup Up Cafe)
Just how dog-friendly is central Manchester?
The company analysed 30 major UK cities – comparing things like green spaces, dog-friendly venues, the number of pet shops, and more in the process.
Manchester secured the top spot as the UK’s most dog-friendly city, thanks to the city being made up of an impressive 34.7% of green space, along with there being 128 pet shops and 243 pet groomers.
The city also boasts 25 dog-friendly job listings within a 10-mile radius, at the time of the study being carried out, making it easy for residents to balance work and time with their four-legged companions.
So whether it’s weekend park adventures or weekday convenience, Manchester ‘truly leads the pack’ when it comes to dog lovers.
The UK’s Top 10 Dog-Friendly Cities
Manchester
London
Brighton and Hove
Bradford
Swansea
Leeds
Stoke-on-Trent
Edinburgh
Plymouth
Aberdeen
Other northern cities on the list include Bradford at number four and Leeds at number six.
On top of that, other major cities and areas making up the top 10 include Brighton and Hove, Swansea, Edinburgh, and of course, London.
Better still, Manchester’s title as the UK’s most dog-friendly city comes after another pet-centric accolade.
Manchester chosen for first-ever Pro:Direct Soccer ‘FC’ concept store
Danny Jones
Manchester city centre has been chosen for the first-ever Pro:Direct Soccer concept store, which is set to be unveiled very soon.
While a specific opening date is yet to be announced, we now have a confirmed venue, which will be none other than the Arndale.
The world-famous online retailer first began experimenting with brick-and-mortar stores over a decade ago, with their LDN19 shop in the capital opening back in 2014, but now they’ve signed a new 10-year lease in the busy Manc shopping centre.
Set to open early in 2026, the flagship ‘PD:FC’ site promises to be “more than a store” and is purpose-built to celebrate all things football culture.
The hoardings are already up. (Credit: Supplied)
Due to take over a 9,180 sq ft unit spanning two floors, the new ‘Football Performance and Culture store’ is tipped as the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
Choosing Manchester due to its rich music, fashion, sporting and football heritage, most specifically, our home was seen as a natural destination for the new concept.
The debut PD:FC store is not only looking to offer a unique retail experience to our footy-obsessed city, but also deliver a site for innovation and cultural crossover.
As per an official press release, the brand says PD:FC “ensures every player finds the right fit, feel, and edge to allow them to ‘Play Better’”, adding that it will “curates the evolving world of football culture, harnessing the energy of the streets, the glory of stadiums, and the influences within game and beyond.”
‘PRO:DIRECT Sport PD:FC’ will be come just the latest in a recent trend of high-profile openings in the Arndale and neighbouring New Cathedral Street, with the likes of Sephora and Represent attracting huge opening day queues, not to mention fellow sport and activity brands, Arc’teryx, Alo Yoga and Trailberg.
Speaking on the announcement, PRO:DIRECT Sport‘s Chief of Brand, Sam Baldock, said: “Manchester is the beating heart of football culture – a city where the game’s history, passion, and future collide.
“Launching our new PD:FC concept here is about more than opening a store; it’s about creating a space that lives and breathes football and its culture.
“A place where players and fans can connect with the very best the sport has to offer. This is our home for the football-inspired community in the Manchester area – from the streets to the stadiums – and we can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors.”
Emily Sergeant -
11th January 2021 
