Luxury chocolatier to open its newest concept store

Chocolate fans are in for a treat as Hotel Chocolat, a luxury British cacao grower and chocolatier, confirms the opening of its latest out-of-town concept store at The Springs Leeds.

Opening on 17 August, this latest store from Hotel Chocolat is home to a Velvetiser Café, serving Velvetised™ drinking chocolate and other hot drinks.

Guests can select from thousands of combinations to personalise their drink including 18 flavours served hot, over ice or as a Choc Shake with dairy milk or a plant-based alternative, plus a variety of toppings.

The space occupies a prominent 3,550 sq ft unit which can seat up to 48 guests.

Hotel Chocolat’s co-founder and development director, Peter Harris, said: “We’re making retail park experiences that much more enjoyable with the opening of Hotel Chocolat at The Springs Leeds.

“Whether you’re after a relaxing drink in one of our Velvetiser Cafes or would like to explore our range of top-quality chocolate, our new concept store offers guests the opportunity to shop at a more leisurely pace.

“This latest opening is part of our plans to launch many more stores across the country in the next three to five years.

“Physical stores are extremely attractive and the beauty of being out-of-town is that we have good accessibility and parking so people can visit with ease.”

Rachel Vickers, senior commercial manager at Scarborough Group International (SGI), developer and asset manager of The Springs and Thorpe Park Leeds, added: “We are happy to welcome Hotel Chocolat to The Springs Leeds.

“There seems to be a marked change in the way that brands look at out of town retail destinations and are increasingly attracted to their attributes in terms of accessibility, environment, and footfall.

“At The Springs we’ve been able to demonstrate strong visitor statistics which is helping to attract aspirational operators like Hotel Chocolat.”