Inside Llandudno’s thriving Maisie’s Chocolate Shop

Maisie’s Chocolate Shop, at 25 Vaughan Street, was established in 2016 at the site of a closed sweets and treats shop.

Taken over by the ever-friendly Karen and Richard Winstanley in April 2019, the business continues to be a hit with both residents and visitors to the town.

@rhyl_journal I called into Llandudno’s must-visit chocolate shop - take a look inside Maisie’s! #llandudno #chocolate #sweetshop #candyshop #independentbusiness #touristattraction #seaside ♬ In the Mood - Glenn Miller

Offering everything someone with a sweet tooth could possibly want, the quaint shop is run in conjunction with The Llandudno Chocolate Experience, run by the couple’s son Tim.

From loose chocolates and truffles to luxury handmade chocolate bars and lollies, the shop sells a range of chocolate-themed products, boiled sweets and gift boxes perfect for special occasions and all sorts of cravings.

In the short time I spent at the shop, it was bustling – families, workmen on their break, passers-by, tourists and many others all popping in to browse the mouth-watering selection.

Crammed with chocolatey goodness, the business survived the Covid-19 pandemic, which co-owner Richard said was “difficult”.

Since the pandemic the business has “grown and grown”, also recovering from the “horrendous” impact Brexit had on sourcing chocolate from across Europe.

“We get people come in from all over the country and they’ll say ‘we just came to Llandudno because we want to go to Maisie’s’,” Richard said.

“The last few weeks have been mad, the Christmas period is just manic – there will be queues out the door.”

With chain Hotel Chocolat expected to move into Llandudno, Richard said they had been expecting the competition “for some time” and welcome the addition to the town.

He added: “We offer a different service – you go there (Hotel Chocolat), you have to have what comes in the box.

“You come here, you have what you want in the box.”