The owner of a new sweets and ice-cream shop in town has thanked shoppers for giving it a warm welcome.

Beaches and Cream opened in Station Square in Lowestoft on Monday, May 25 to a queue of people waiting to get in.

Owner Peter Woodward, 35, has opened the shop with business partner Oliver Walker.

The pair run Coasters restaurant in Southwold, which is where they opened their first Beaches and Cream store.

But they decided to take the plunge and expand into Lowestoft, and so far Mr Woodward said it seems to have been worth the risk.

'We're really pleased with the reaction we've had, it's been so good,' he said.

'Originally we were looking to open a shop in Gorleston, but there's another sweet shop nearby and then this unit became available.'

And Mr Woodward said he was happy to have set up shop in the town.

He said: 'I feel that Lowestoft is changing for the better.

'If you don't put something good into a place you're never going to improve it.

'But everyone seems to be really positive so far.

'It's nice when you hear people say 'wow' - that feeling we've done something right!

'It's a relief to be open. It was a big unknown, we were wondering if people were going to turn up or if they were going to come in.'

Beaches and Cream stocks American and Australian imported sweet, traditional sweets, pic n mix, ice cream, slush and traditional seaside gifts, and Mr Woodward said listening to his customers was key.

'We do try and stock what people ask for - within reason!' he said.

Do you have a story about a Lowestoft business? Email polly.grice@archant.co.uk