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The free dictionary (https://www.thefreedictionary.com/ates) gives ATES as "a shop that sells confectionery" - it cites Collins as the source, but Collins doesn't as far as I can see list it, not do any other reference works that I have checked.

I see it in my Collins, no indication of origin.

Is that the printed version of Collins, jono? I can't see it in the online version.

Exactly, Spoffy, which is what prompted my question. Obscurities like this barely belong in Azed, let alone the ST.

Yes, printed version, 13th ed

Thanks, jono.

loge - I thought that the first clue cited on this thread was, well, very weak and the second one only slightly better, but that one tops (if that is the right word) the lot - given that a google search returns no supporting references, I wonder if the solution could stem from an erroneous entry in Collins. Something to do with chocol-ates? Or 'after ates'??

Yes, I'm glad that I never attempt this one!

After-ates - like it! (And the mints too.) In fairness, DM doesn’t have form for silly obscurities, so I wonder if this an editorial intrusion due to OTIS, ETHS, ETAS and ITAS having appeared too often recently. I’m all for learning new words in any puzzle, but there are limits. This one takes the biscuit - perhaps one supplied by an ate(s) 😉

Agreed, loge. I am outside the UK as well, so I was just as puzzled if this was an acronym of some sort that would be known in the UK. Terrible. Although I am very fond of chocolATES. Nice one, spoffy.

I'm going to enter with ATES even though it's a terrible clue. But the 'cement' is very poor too, as cement is just one component of concrete, (about a sixth part when wet) . Don't suppose anyone's ever been buried in cement - a whitish grey powder - except perhaps in some awful accident at the cement factory!!