Trevor Duerden, Christmas Market

Trevor Duerden, of Duerden’s Confectionery, Fudge and Toffee, sells fudge at Manchester’s Christmas, Northenden Food, Real Food and Fine Food Markets. Some of his recipes date back to the 1800s.

“My grandparents started the business in 1922 in Burnley. My son runs it now, so it’s going back four generations.

“We do events and shows, but Manchester is the mainstay. We are doing two Christmas markets this year – New Cathedral Street and Albert Square.

“I hope I can manage it – we just have to make it, that’s the trouble! It’s not homemade. It used to be homemade when my grandparents first started, but then they moved into a factory. But we still use the same moulding machines that they used. And we still use exactly the same processes.

“We use good produce and good raw materials, and that ensures the quality. I can’t say where I get the ingredients from. They are secret recipes. Three people go in our factory – myself, my son, and the environmental health. And that's it. I don’t want anyone to start making it like us – it’s terrific. I get a lot of repeat customers.

“I love it. I always have done. Even in winter it’s good – you get wrapped up and you’re fine. You are meeting people all the time, it keeps you fit…I thoroughly enjoy it. I would never want to open up a shop. You’ve got the rates, and it might not be very good. If it isn’t very good here, you can move somewhere else.

“There are around 15 varieties, and we also make tablet. I nibble my own fudge…. I think it’s delicious. I’ve eaten my own fudge all my life and I still think it’s the best there is. I’ve tried fudges from all over the country and they aren’t a patch on mine.”

Duerden’s Confectionery, Fudge and Toffee
07974 762799