Exclusive: Sector raises concerns over closure of British brand Beech’s Chocolates

Industry concerns have been raised over the shock closure of British family-owned confectionery business, Beech’s Chocolates, which had operated from its base in Preston for 105 years, reports Neill Barston.

The company had built a strong reputation for its premium offerings over the decades, but according to the firm, it had faced major challenges from rising cocoa and wider operating costs that no longer made the business a viable prospect. 

Significantly, the business had reportedly attempted to pass on operating costs by raising its prices by around 20%, but a combination of additional national insurance costs, and the major hikes in ingredients proved decisive factors to closing the company.

Confectionery Production understands the closure has meant the loss of 40 jobs at its longstanding site in Preston, where it manufactured a wide range of artisan ranges including exclusive truffles.

Among them, was an innovative project with regional Nigerian traditional ruler, His Majesty Oba Dokun Thompson, who visited the site along with his wife, Queen Angelique-Monet, who had featured in a documentary launching a new line of artisan chocolate bars, Gureje IV, which formed a topic of discussion at this year’s World Confectionery Conference Q&A session.

Gureje IV launch last year with HRM Oba Dokun Thompson, Angelique-Monet Thompson (centre), with Chantal Coady OBE. Pic: Oba Dokun Thompson

Speaking to our title on hearing news of the factory’s closure, the Nigerian monarch expressed his sympathy over its closure, but was hopeful of the brand continuing.

Commenting to the BBC, Beech’s chairman Andrew Whiting confirmed that it was in fact steep cost increases that had influenced its decision. The company noted that a tanker that last year cost £24,000, was now at £78,000.

“There will be a lot of people in Preston with fond memories of relatives having worked at Beech’s or themselves in more recent times and we all said a fond ‘au revoir’ to each other on the day we closed,” noted the chair.

According to official records, the business had been due to file its last annual results in September, but had failed to do so. As of last year, it had posted assets put at £1.4 million, prior to a downturn in its fortunes over the past financial year.

Reacting to the news, Gemma Whitaker, of Yorkshire-based Whitakers said her thoughts were with all those impacted by the closure.

In a blog posting, she wrote: “For more than a century, Beech’s built a reputation for quality chocolates, including their much-loved fondant creams, truffles, thins and chocolate brazil nuts — products that have delighted generations of chocolate lovers. As a fellow family-owned British chocolate maker, here at Whitakers we shared the passion Beech’s had for chocolate making and, over the years, forged a great working relationship.

“We’ve always had many similarities: both of us rooted in family heritage, both producing timeless favourites, and both proud to make our chocolates right here in the North of England. That’s why their closure feels like a huge loss — not just for their loyal customers, but for the wider chocolate industry and their employees.  There aren’t many of us independent, family-run chocolate manufacturers left, and it’s a reminder of how important it is to support the businesses that remain.|”