When I was asked to go and have a look around Hancock's sweet-filled warehouse in Chester-le-Street, I simply couldn't turn the opportunity down, especially considering my love of all things sugary.
As much as the products inside can be likened to something out of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, the exterior of Hancock's is a lot more inconspicuous, looking like any other business on the Drum Industrial Estate.
There was also no glass elevators to be seen, just a normal door that leads into a warehouse of wonderful cascading colours. I was taken back by the vastness of the sweets available, with over 4,000 different products.
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I was then shown around the building by store manager Dave Sparrow, who talked to me as we went through the aisles about Hancock's role in the confectionary industry and his favourite things about working there.
"Hancock's is part of the country's biggest sweet wholesaler, World of Sweets, and we provide sweets for traditional and American sweet shops, funfairs and the stalls in places like the Metrocentre as well.
"We have several areas of the warehouse dedicated to specific types of sweets, with a pick n' mix section, a seasonal section with fairground treats in currently, and more areas for chocolate, crisps and fizzy pop."
It felt like every type of sweet from my childhood was there, with things like bon-bons, black bullets, mint humbugs and every other kind of classic treat that you could possibly imagine.
There was also an amazing smell that permeated the room as I walked around, which changed slightly depending on which sweets were nearby. This makes me thing that it would be a great place to work, specifically if you are inclined towards the sweet side of things.
During my visit, I also spoke to Middlesbrough sweet shop owner Jamie Johnson, who told me the reasons why he gets his products from Hancock's over other wholesalers.
"This might sound strange as it's a 45-minute drive, but Hancock's is very convenient in a lot of ways. They have the biggest range of sweets and their prices are competitive as well which is so important in the current climate.
"Another great thing about Hancock's is the staff that work here, who are incredibly helpful, as well as being very friendly, taking the time to get to know customers and their businesses on an individual level", he said.
As I was getting ready to leave Hancock's, I continued my chat with Dave, who explained what it is about the place that has kept him working their for 38 years.
"We get a lot of the same customers here as well as new ones that come in, and it is great being able to have those relationships with clients, both longstanding and brand new.
"I have been working for Hancock's since I was 19 and I'm now 47, and I honestly wouldn't want to work anywhere else. It truly is a special place and that is to the credit of all of the staff that make it that way."
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