Bringing "a taste of Belgium to the Island" is the aim of an Isle of Wight chocolatier, who is preparing to showcase his sweet creations in a new town centre shop.

After years of making chocolate for wholesale, Andy Rea, from Wootton, is getting ready to open his business, ChocAlicious, in Newport.

The 28-year-old is in the process of turning one half of the former County Press building, on the High Street, into his very own chocolate shop.

"The chocolate is going to be made on site so members of the public can watch it happening", he told the County Press.

"There's going to be chocolate high-heeled shoes, chocolate handbags, beer bottles, champagne bottles. Anything you can think of, we will have it made out of chocolate!"

Isle of Wight County Press: Andy outside his new chocolate shop.Andy outside his new chocolate shop. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Isle of Wight County Press: Some of ChocAlicious' past creations.Some of ChocAlicious' past creations. (Image: ChocAlicious)

ChocAlicious may already be a familiar name to some on the Island.

In 2018, the business opened up a shop in Shanklin but closed shortly after.

Andy said it "wasn't the right time" and so he switched his focus to wholesale.

"We supply farm shops, a couple of hotels, and work with some bigger clients as well", he said.

"But now we've come to the conclusion that it's time to bring a chocolate shop to Newport."

Following the closure of Godshill's Chocolate Island last year, Andy said he noticed a "gap in the market" and feels now is the right time to fill an empty shop and "bring something different" to the high street.

ChocAlicious moves into a building steeped in history. 29 High Street was the home of the County Press for around 80 years.

Today we operate from just around the corner, in Pyle Street, but the iconic name can still be seen on the front of our previous building -  and Andy plans to keep it that way.

Isle of Wight County Press: The former County Press building.The former County Press building. (Image: IWCP)

He said he even wants to display photos of what the building used to look like to embrace its history, rather than "wipe it away".

The shop will offer cakes, coffees, chocolates with local flavours, and "proper hot chocolate, made with proper chocolate".

"You've got to bring something different to the town. You can't just do the bog standard chocolate bars", Andy said.

"There will be samples so come and pay us a visit and see what you discover."

Although no final date has yet been confirmed, Andy is hoping to open the doors at the end of the month.