A BUSINESSMAN with entrepreneurship in his blood is opening a fudge shop on a booming high street.

Thomas Griffiths, 31, and his girlfriend Mariah Mcentee have set up The Finest Fudge Company on Great Harwood’s Queen Street which has a growing reputation for independent food traders.

Close to the new Finch Bakery, the shop, which will be fronted by Mariah, will sell their homemade fudge alongside ice cream from Longridge and donuts from Blackburn.

Tom, who is the great-grandson of Blackburn shoe emporium legend Tommy Ball, said: “Living round here, I have got to know Great Harwood and I thought that it looks like a little foodie paradise – let’s get in there.

“We are trying to put a big emphasis on the North West. I have been all over the place trying things and I think the North West is the best for food.

“We are going to make all of our fudge in Clitheroe and then finish it in store so it is as fresh as it can be.”

Tom began making fudge about five years ago and with the help of a few of his friends, he has toured the country selling his product.

Following on from this success, Tom decided to move up north to be near to family and make something more of the company.

The business has now become a family affair with Tom’s grandparents Pat Price, 72, and Alan Price, 67, both helping Tom make the fudge at Backridge Farm near Clitheroe.

Tom said: “About a year ago they got involved. My grandma is very good at business because her dad was Tommy Ball. She has always helped me and advised me.

“My grandad has retired and he loves coming around the country with me selling fudge and meeting new people.”

Tom is now looking for young local people to help him and Mariah run the shop, teaching them all the tricks of the trade from production to packaging.

The shop is set to open later this month and Tom hopes to work with more local food businesses to showcase their goods.