Terry’s Chocolate Factory, York

Terry's Chocolate Works

The Chocolate Works in York was built by Terry’s in 1924 and produced chocolates and other confectioneries until 2005, the grand staircase of the admin block still remains.

Visited February 2014 - October 2015  UK York, Yorkshire, UK Redeveloped

History

Built 1924 to 1930 after Frank and Noel Terry joined the family business, the factory produced chocolate and all sorts of confectionery until its closure in 2005. The buildings are fronted with an attractive Art Deco style and included a large clock tower brandishing the company’s name on each clock face. [1]

The group of buildings on the site include a 500ft five storey factory block, the clock tower, administration block, time office and a liquor factory, all built in a matching style reflecting the strength and importance of Terry’s corporate image. The buildings are of strong historic significance as they represent the most complete surviving expression of the importance of chocolate production in York. This importance has earned the buildings grade II listed status. [2]

Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Main Gate with the factory to the left, admin to the right and clock tower
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Main Gate with the factory to the left, admin to the right and clock tower

The Terry’s Chocolate business itself has a longer past than the buildings. The original company was formed in 1767 by Messrs Bayldon and Berry, and only taking on the name of Terry’s when Joseph Terry joined in 1823, and finally became Terry’s of York in 1828.

Joseph Terry was a chemist and put his skills to use developing new lines and perfecting the company’s chocolate and other products. By utilising the new North Eastern Rail Network the company was able to distribute its new products far and wide, while the River Humber provided a means for shipments of sugar and cocoa to be delivered.
Frank and Noel Terry joined the business in 1923, revamping it and launching additional product lines to be produced at their new factory, known as Terry’s Confectionery Works.

United Biscuits acquired Terry’s in 1975 but financial issues in the early 1990s saw Kraft Foods purchase the confectionery division. In 2004 Kraft foods transferred production to other factories in Europe and closed the York site with the loss of 300 jobs. [3]

Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Exterior of the administration block
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Exterior of the administration block
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Entrance to the administration building
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Entrance to the administration building
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Grand staircase in the admin building
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Grand staircase in the admin building
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Closer view of the staircase
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Closer view of the staircase
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Glass dome skylight above the entrance foyer
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Glass dome skylight above the entrance foyer
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - View from staircase towards front doors
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – View from staircase towards front doors
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Closer view towards entrance
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Closer view towards entrance
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - View from side of entrance lobby
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – View from side of entrance lobby
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - The vast administration hall
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – The vast administration hall
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - This huge space would have been filled with worker's desks
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – This huge space would have been filled with worker’s desks
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Partitioned area in the admin hall
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Partitioned area in the admin hall
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Partitioned area in the admin hall
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Partitioned area in the admin hall
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Plasterwork detailing
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Plasterwork detailing
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - View through one of the doors
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – View through one of the doors
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Management office
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Management office
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Office overlooking the hall
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Office overlooking the hall
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Decaying room in the admin block
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Decaying room in the admin block
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Inside the factory building. This building was fully stripped and decaying
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Inside the factory building. This building was fully stripped and decaying
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - Inside the factory building. Tiled walls in the factory building
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – Inside the factory building. Tiled walls in the factory building
Terry's Chocolate Works, York - The clock tower as seen from the factory roof
Terry’s Chocolate Works, York – The clock tower as seen from the factory roof
If you liked this report please check out Proj3ct M4yh3m's Chocolate Factory report too.

References

1. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chocolate_Works
2. Source: http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-492559-terrys-of-york-factory-
3. Source: http://www.jorvik.co.uk/terrys/

Author: Andy Kay | Facebook | Flickr | Instagram

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