Chocolatier to grow business after £440k investment
The six-figure investment will allow the family-run business to buy the four-storey building it currently occupies – along with a property next door – to support plans to achieve sales of £5m within the next four years. Expanding into the new site would also allow the company to create new jobs.
Chief executive officer Ken Harrison said: “We’re taking a very strategic approach to achieving our aims for the years ahead and that means being able to invest in the systems, infrastructure and processes that will support that growth.
Offering support
“The team at Lloyds Bank understands that entrepreneurial thinking and has been by our side offering us the support we needed throughout this ambitious expansion period.”
Established in 2017 by husband-and-wife team Ken and Jen Harrison at their kitchen table, Daniel’s Delights – named after the couple’s son – now operates out of the former Royal Doulton works in Fenton.
The £440,000 investment from Lloyds Bank comes as the chocolatier doubled its turnover to £2m in the past two years. The manufacturer attributed this success to the development of its product range and securing supply deals with a number of large retailers.
Family success story
Neil Smith, relationship manager at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, added: “Daniel’s Delights is a fantastic success story, growing in just 12 years from a husband-and-wife operation to a business that employs a growing team and contributes significantly to the local economy.
“We’re proud to be playing a part in the company’s ongoing expansion and supporting Ken and Jen in their ambitions to maintain the rapid growth they’ve achieved so far.”
The funding forms part of Lloyds Bank’s commitment to lend £1.3bn to businesses in the north west during 2019.
Meanwhile, UK pork processor Tulip is to increase capacity and efficiencies at its Redruth site in Cornwall via a £10m investment.
