Petition calling for government to protect status of Blackpool Rock gathers momentum
A petition has been put forward to the UK government to grant protected status for Blackpool Rock- which is also produced for other regions, including Herne Bay, in Kent. Pic: Neill Barston
Hundreds of signatures have been added to a national petition to the UK government calling for immediate support for Blackpool Rock manufacturers in the UK, who have faced competition from cheap Chinese imports that have flooded the market this year, reports Neill Barston.
So far, more than 500 people have signed in support of the move seeking the humble stick of rock – which has been a staple of seaside holidays during the past century, to gain geographical indication protected food name status.
As previously reported by Confectionery Production, manufacturers noted that there are only around ten businesses within the UK, most of them in the Blackpool area that have the necessary artisan skills to create the intricate letter writing with the classic confectionery lines.
The sweet treat, (pictured in the main image at Herne Bay in Kent ,and below), may have lost ground to healthier option confectionery in recent years, but as our coverage noted, there’s still plenty of affection for colourful rock varieties that have provided many generations with happy family memories of childhood coastal holidays.
Notably, as Blackpool-based David Thorp, director of Stanton & Novelty Confectioners Ltd, stated, he believed that gaining protected status as a specific regional piece of produce would be vital to stem the tide of imports – which he believed were often of inferior quality given the specialised nature of their production. He feared that the sector could be on the brink of being put out of business without the industry being urgently supported by the UK government.
The petition to gain protected status for Blackpool rock, read: “I would like the Government to protect the name ‘stick of rock’ under the UK geographical indication (GI) protected food names (PFN) scheme.We believe the quality and integrity of this British confectionery is unparalleled, built upon generations of craftsmanship and expertise.
“We are concerned that inferior products have flooded our market, undercutting domestic producers and eroding confidence in locally-made goods while giving the impression to consumers that they are buying British products. Preserving the heritage and tradition of British confectionery is not only essential for our economy but also for maintaining our cultural identity and pride.”
To date, those behind the petition have had no firm commitment from the government, or its Defra agricultural and food department, in the wake of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling a snap UK election, which is due to be held on July 4. This has effectively shut down regular governmental business, with parliament going in to its summer recess and politicians focusing on their respective election campaigns – leaving no room for consideration of fresh policy matters until after the election.
The organisers of the petition have subsequently confirmed that the UK Parliament petition website is now closed until next month, and a new petition will need to be filed.