Seaham, on the County Durham coast, had a population of around 23,700 at the 2021 census — a town that exists largely because of one man's decision to build a harbour.
A harbour built by a coal baron
Seaham as it stands today is a planned town. In the 1820s, Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, owned a string of collieries inland but had no port of his own to ship the coal from — so he built one. Seaham Harbour was constructed through the 1820s and 1830s, with the settlement growing up around it to house the dock workers, and later the miners of Seaham Colliery itself, sunk in the 1840s. For well over a century the town's identity was fused with coal: the harbour shipped it, and the colliery dug it, until the pit closed in 1993 — one of the last deep mines in the Durham coalfield.
What that history doesn't leave behind
Seaham's economy was built around heavy industry, not retail, and a colliery town of this size never had the footfall to support a dedicated sweet shop with bulk bags, vegan ranges or halal-friendly lines sitting on the shelf.
Why Seaham shoppers order online anyway
For anything beyond a newsagent's pick 'n' mix, ordering online is simply more reliable than hoping the right stock is in — no trip along the coast to Sunderland or Durham required.
25,000+ customers, and counting
We've served over 25,000 customers UK-wide, Seaham included, with most orders dispatched within 1-2 business days. The range covers pick 'n' mix by the bag and tub, bulk bags from 1kg to 3kg, trade cases for events and businesses, vegan and halal-friendly sweets, retro favourites, and full chocolate ranges from the major brands.
Frequently asked questions
Do you deliver sweets to Seaham?
Yes — UK-wide, including Seaham, County Durham, with most orders dispatched in 1-2 business days.
Why was Seaham's harbour built?
It was built in the 1820s-30s by the Marquess of Londonderry to ship coal from his own collieries.
Can I buy bulk or wholesale sweets in Seaham?
Not locally — we deliver bulk bags, multipacks and trade cases direct to Seaham addresses instead.
Browse Pick 'n' Mix and Bulk Bags.