Terry And The Chocolate Factory: How A York Icon Was Built
The former site of the landmark Terry’s chocolate factory in York is currently being redeveloped into apartments. The Grade II listed building has a rich history and has been a landmark of the York skyline since 1926. Here’s a look at how it all began.
The origins of the Terry’s brand can be traced back to 1767 when Robert Berry and William Bayldon went into partnership to run a sweet and lozenge shop. When Bayldon retired a chemist and apothecary named Joseph Terry was invited to join, and the splendidly named company Terry & Berry was formed.
By 1830, Joseph Terry was the sole trader, and he proved to be more than capable of the task. He was not only a talented confectioner, but also understood the best ways of selling and distributing his products. He expanded the business and sent stock down to London via the North Eastern Railway Network.
Upon Joseph’s death in 1850, the business passed to his three sons, and they continued to expand and develop. A new factory site was built at Clementhorpe by the River Ouse, allowing cocoa and sugar supplies to be shipped in directly from the Humber docks. It was an era when chocolate was still a novelty and the demand for it was huge.
The famous Chocolate Works factory was built at the Bishopthorpe Road site in York in 1926, and became a major employer in the city. The impressive Art Deco style building included a clock tower that would become a famous landmark. It was at this site that the hugely popular All Gold and Terry’s Chocolate Orange were developed.
After WWII, production slowed as cocoa imports were strictly rationed. The Terry’s brand was acquired by Colgate in 1977 and then sold to United Biscuits before being acquired by Kraft in the 1990s. Production shifted abroad and the iconic York factory was closed for good in 2005.
The site was acquired by developers Grantside in 2010, who were granted planning permission to convert the factory into a mixed-use residential and leisure complex. A number of new apartments have since been completed and residents have moved in.
The famous clock tower has also been renovated and the clock, which stopped when the factory closed, is now back in operation. The restoration work was contracted to specialist developers PJ LIvelsey.
Managing director Georgina Lynch said: “This is a momentous day and we are very grateful to the team at Smith of Derby for providing the skills to make it happen.”
She added: “The Terry’s clock was once known as the ‘kitchen clock of York’ and part of the City’s heritage and we are very proud to have played our part in seeing it restored. Terry’s is synonymous with York and the buildings are now saved and repurposed for generations to come.”
The rare clock mechanism cost £60,000 to restore and is now a proud emblem of the city once more.
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