MAGIC tricks, illusion and games from a bygone era had children mesmerised when Mr Chill's Traditional Sweet Emporium, in Evesham, celebrated its fourth anniversary recently.

Local circus skills performer Jake Burrows was at the shop, teaching a range of tricks including the magic floating crystal ball while shoppers were invited to play traditional games, many of which have been forgotten with the rising popularity of computer games and digital entertainment.

“It is scary how many children didn’t know how to play ‘Jacks’ or ‘Ludo,” said Tara Baird, who has worked at the Bridge Street shop since it opened in autumn 2010. “It was often the parents who went straight to the table where we had laid out games. However, many kids were curious and really enjoyed playing, once the simple rules had been explained.”

In an effort to bring back the pleasures of more traditional games, which can be enjoyed by the whole family, the shop is stocking a range of beautifully packaged retro games in the run up to Christmas. These are displayed alongside confectionary gift sets and a vast collection of traditional sweets, many of which are weighed from jars, as in the old days, and served in candy striped paper bags.

When the shop celebrated its third anniversary last year Mr Chill commissioned the making of a unique Worcestershire Black Pear Drop, to mark the occasion. This remains a best seller with a staggering 45 kilos sold in the last four weeks.

“Our sweets are made using traditional recipes and techniques and people love buying the ones they remember from their childhood,” says Mr Chill. “Although the black pear drop is a newly invented sweet it harnesses the history of the Black Pear fruit, which dates back to 1415 and is synonymous with Worcestershire. Our customers love it.”