Specialist bank provides funding for chocolate business
Specialist bank Aldermore has provided a £675k finance facility to a luxury chocolate business in Harlow, Essex.
The Grown Up Chocolate Company was set up by James Ecclestone in 2011 and produces a range of handmade chocolates based on childhood classics.
The company currently employs 30 people and has increased from making 650 bars of chocolate a week in 2011 to 80,000 a week in 2017, worth an estimated £2.3m in sales.
The manufacturer required the funding to meet its increased Christmas demand and to expand the reach of its sales teams.
James said:
“Since I founded the business, I’ve dealt with three other finance providers and Aldermore were the first who truly understood what we wanted.
“They were quick to assess our situation and offered a flexible product which is tailored to our specific needs.
“We’ve always had the philosophy that if you aren’t moving forward you’re moving backwards, and Aldermore have helped us to keep moving in the right direction.
“When we look to capitalise on the greater demand for our products during the festive season and look ahead to further expansion, I can’t see myself working with anyone other than Aldermore, and continuing our partnership.”
Peter Birch, relationship manager at Aldermore, added:
“Aldermore and the Grown Up Chocolate Company are a fantastic match.
“They are an exciting and dynamic company who are passionate about their product and already have a customer base who love it.
“This is exactly the type of strong UK company that Aldermore look to partner with and give them the support that they need to succeed.”
