LEP grant tastes sweet for artisan chocolate maker

A FAMILY-run artisan chocolate business, which supplies Harrods and Fenwick, is planning further expansion after securing a grant from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The £10,000 grant from the LEP’s Business Growth Programme has been used as part of a wider investment by York-based Choc-Affair to invest in new manufacturing premises.

Choc-Affair, which designs and manufactures a range of handmade fairtrade chocolate products, was launched by Linda Barrie in 2006 when she created a hot chocolate drink at home for her two daughters, both with milk intolerances.

Choc-Affair now employs 16 staff but the business needed more suitable accommodation to expand its product range.

Supported by the LEP grant, the company has moved to a 2,000 sq ft purpose-built headquarters at Yorvale Business Park from which Choc-Affair supplies retailers including Harrods and Fenwick as well as supermarket brands including Booths.

Linda Barrie, founder of Choc-Affair, said: “Moving to new premises within the York area has enabled the business to have a much leaner manufacturing process, which in turn has facilitated greater efficiency, increased productivity and helped us to increase our product range.”

Roger Marsh, chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: “York has a rich heritage in the art of chocolate making and it is fantastic to see an entrepreneur turning her vision into a healthy business.

“The LEP is pleased to have provided the company with a Business Growth Programme grant to facilitate the move into state-of-the-art new premises as well as creating two new jobs in the region.”