About Us
Thorntons is the number one ‘Chocolate and Confectionery’ brand and the number 18 overall brand in the UK according to Superbrands’ latest research. (May 2009)
Established by Joseph William Thornton in 1911, Thorntons is one of the UK’s oldest chocolate retailers, headquartered in Derbyshire with more than 4,000 employees.
Thorntons has 379 own stores, 37 of which have their own café, and 250 franchise stores across the country, as well as a strong online business (
www.thorntons.co.uk) and a commercial business, supplying all major supermarkets.
In September 2008, Thorntons reported a turnover of £208 million and profits before tax of £8.5 million for the full year to June 2008, which represents an increase of 11.9% and 19.6% respectively.
All children’s products now include no artificial colours or added preservatives.
Keith Hurdman is Thorntons Master Chocolatier. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Keith is an unusual phenomena for the British chocolate industry as a home grown talent with extensive training with some of Europe’s finest confectioners and chocolatiers in Belgium, Switzerland and France. He is now widely recognised as one of the UK’s most talented chocolatiers. Keith has won a number of awards including the International Belgian Chocolate Award and the highly acclaimed ‘Truffe d’ Or’ in 2000 as Champion Confectioner of Switzerland.
In April 2008, Thorntons launched Moments – a collection of individually wrapped chocolates designed for sharing. With Moments, Thorntons broke the Guinness World Record for the largest box of chocolates. The box contained 1,500 kg of Thorntons’ Moments and was 16.5 ft tall and 11.5ft wide.
Since August 2008, Thorntons has opened five new concept stores in Kingston, Reading, Bluewater, Nottingham and Edinburgh. The new concept is designed to create a contemporary and interactive in store experience for customers.
In September 2008, Thorntons launched Luxury Chocolate Blocks. A collection of 19 delectable flavoured tablet bars providing a taste experience to delight every pallet. From simple French Dark, Belgian Milk or White to exotic single origin chocolates combined with delicious flavours like Balsamic.
In November 2008, Thorntons opened its first Hot Chocolate Bar in the UK in Nottingham. The Hot Chocolate Bar is a totally new concept for Thorntons that combines your favourite Thorntons products with a welcoming, modern destination, indulgent hot drinks, and cakes and the Thorntons in store chocolatier.