THE Mayor of Dudley sampled something sweet when he visited a Stourbridge sweet shop ahead of this weekend’s Small Business Saturday.

Dudley Council has announced it will be taking part in the event, which will encourage people to shop locally on Saturday (December 7).

Councillor Alan Finch and cabinet member for regeneration, cllr Judy Foster, have visited numerous small businesses in the lead up to the event, including Jessica’s Traditional Sweets.

With six stores around the region including two in Dudley borough, Stuart Connop and Tony Robinson, the co-owners of Jessica’s set up the business with a single store in Stourbridge two years ago.

Since opening his first store in the Ryemarket Shopping Centre they have grown the company so that it now employs 40 people and they say that it is their team and customers who have made it the success it has been.

Mr Connop said: “I believe that people like to see a familiar face and I have seen for myself how much support there is out there for local businesses like mine.

“I have lived in the Black Country all my life and it is a pleasure to see the delight that our delicious sweets are bringing to local children and adults alike.”

Cllr Finch added: “Being in this lovely shop is like taking a trip down memory lane with sweets that I haven’t seen since I was a child.

“We are encouraging everyone in Dudley borough to shop local on Saturday to show their support for local businesses like this one.”

The council will also offer free parking across all its car parks on the day.