THE economic fall out of the pandemic has been a bitter-sweet experience for one West Sussex businessman

Andy Scowen, 38, was running his own printing and leaflet distribution service when Covid-19 swept through the UK, leaving financial devastation in its wake.

For Andy the lockdown meant putting his traditional company on hold – but he had been working on a candy-selling website with his wife Katie as a hobby for six months and suddenly it’s business sky-rocketed.

His website www.postedsweets.co.uk went from 500 visits to 7,000 a day and suddenly the orders were pouring in. His Facebook page now has over 40,000 followers – even Olly Murs posted on Instagram that someone had sent him a Posted Sweets hamper.

Now the online business is so successful Posted Sweets is employing four staff and is selling a remarkable three tonnes of sweets and chocolates a month.

In fact the increase in business was so steep Andy has now invested £70,000 in a new automated weighing and packaging line which he believes will help bring him even more success.

He turned to Lincolnshire-based Iris Packaging Ltd to install and train his staff at his Chichester base three months ago and hasn’t looked back since.

The new machines can process, in just one hour, what it took one member of staff all day to complete.

“I started Posted Sweets from the spare room and it was really just a part-time venture but then Covid came along and it went crazy,” said Andy, who is married with a little boy.

“As my existing business faltered the online venture grew to such an extent we were struggling to cope with the level of orders. There were days when we simply had to close for orders to keep up with demand.

“That’s when I turned to Iris Packaging and I am delighted with the decision. The guys gave us a competitive price, excellent customer service and training and with their help I have taken the business to the next level.

“The machinery has made order processing so efficient that I estimate we will have paid back the initial investment within a year.”

Grimsby-based Iris’ Director, Craig  Knight, said the company had helped dozens of fledging businesses move their venture onto the next stage.

“It’s fantastic to work with these new and exciting artisan businesses and see them grow stronger. We are always confident that our machinery and support can help build success and it’s satisfying to see Posted Sweets do just that.”