A YOUNG Redditch couple are turning their dream of growing their sweets and events business into a reality after opening their first shop.

Lauren Rooney, from Greenlands, was inspired to start her business after being left housebound for many months by a serious road crash five years ago.

Working with her partner, roofer Sam Bennett, the couple have now moved their venture, called “Live, Laugh and Love With Lauren,” from home into a unit on the Manorside Industrial Estate.

The business provides sweets, bouncy castles and more for all sorts of events.

Redditch Advertiser: Sam Bennett at the new shop Sam Bennett at the new shop

Lauren, aged 24, said: “It’s absolutely manic at the moment.”

“We are working weekdays at our sweet shop, handling online orders, and then putting together 10 or 15 parties every weekend with bouncy castles, football dart games and other entertainments, as well as supplying more sweets as gifts and party favours.

“The events side of the business has exploded since lockdown started easing, but the sweets side of the business kept us going over the last year, delivering them to more than 100 homes a week around Bromsgrove and Redditch.

“Sam had built an extension on our house to cater for the business but it had outgrown that space."

The couple then got in touch with Ben Truslove at Redditch firm John Truslove to help them secure a "proper" premises for the business, located on Walkers Road. 

Redditch Advertiser: Ben Truslove of John Truslove with Lauren Rooney and Sam BennettBen Truslove of John Truslove with Lauren Rooney and Sam Bennett

Lauren added: "We thought the unit might be a bit big but just a month after moving in we are using all the space. It’s absolutely perfect for us.”

“We’ve turned our dream of our own successful business into a reality.”

Mr Truslove said: “This couple are a great example of the entrepreneurial spirit being exhibited by so many young business people as we come out of lockdown. We look forward to seeing their success continue.”