15 new jobs to be created with launch of York chocolate factory

York is set to welcome back chocolate production with the launch of a new manufacturing facility in the city centre.

York Cocoa Works, the new manufacturing facility, will be developed at Castlegate on the site of a former Job Centre Plus.

The £750k development will see the single-storey building be transformed to create a chocolate production, chocolate academy and chocolate development centre.

Upon completion, the facility will create 15 new jobs.

Entrepreneur Sophie Jewett, owner of the retail emporium York Cocoa House, is behind the venture which is supported by local investors.

She has taken a 10-year lease on the Castlegate premises. Langleys Solicitors in York advised Sophie on the lease deal.

The conversion of the Castlegate premises will start in September with York Cocoa Works due to open in early 2018.

Sophie, who launched York Cocoa House in 2011, has wanted to bring chocolate making back to York since the closure of the Terry’s factory in 2005.

She said: “We want to create a community facility in the heart of York where we can demonstrate to visitors how our chocolate is created, from the raw cocoa ingredients to our finished products.

“The centre will provide an environment in which we can showcase our chocolate making skills to new generations of chocolate makers who share our passion for chocolate and its York heritage.”

Emma Warner, partner in commercial property at Langleys Solicitors, added: “Sophie and her team have built a strong and successful brand in York Cocoa House. We are pleased to support them in their ambition to develop the York Cocoa Works which will be a great attraction in the centre of York.”

Mass Architecture in York has developed the design of York Cocoa Works.

Partner Charlotte Harrison commented: “It is fantastic to be involved in such a unique project that is so relevant to York. We’ve worked closely with Sophie and her team to interpret their authentic chocolate making process into the design brief. We especially enjoy working with local businesses to create new developments in this historic city.”