Elizabeth Shaw (confectionery company)

For the fictional character, see Liz Shaw.
The Elizabeth Shaw chocolate factory on Co-operation Road
Elizabeth Shaw office alongside the factory in 2004

Elizabeth Shaw is the trading name of a Bristol based company that markets chocolate-based confectionery, including the well-known brands Famous Names chocolate liqueurs and Elizabeth Shaw after dinner mints. The company has recently extended its range to include Flutes, and a Crisp Collection gift box, featuring products based on its unique honeycomb crisp inclusion. It also markets a range of 100g bars, featuring its best loved flavours.

The business was founded in 1881, as H.J. Packer, in Armoury Square, Bristol, but, having outgrown its original premises, moved to a newly built factory in Greenbank, Bristol in 1901. Its fortunes waxed and waned over the next century, being owned by, amongst others, James Goldsmith and James (Lord) Hanson. In 2006, faced with the high costs associated with the 330,000 sq feet building, the company relocated its manufacturing to factories in the UK and in mainland Europe, and closed the then 105-year-old factory.

In March 2006 Elizabeth Shaw was purchased by Nói Síríus, the largest confectionery manufacturer in Iceland. It was subsequently purchased by a Norwegian company, Imagine Capital.[1][2] In 2016, Colian, Poland's largest confectionery manufacturer, acquired Elizabeth Shaw from Imagine Capital.

Greenbank factory site

Local residents successfully argued against redevelopment of the closed factory into flats and houses.[3] The building, in the eyes of local residents, represented part of the industrial heritage of Bristol. The opposition to this redevelopment was supported by George Ferguson, whose vision had earlier turned a defunct tobacco factory in Bedminster into one of Bristol's leading artistic and creative venues, called the Tobacco Factory. However, as of 2012, the building was still standing empty, following the failure of all the parties involved to deliver an acceptable and workable solution for the future use of the building and site.[4] By late 2013 the building had reverted to the Clydesdale Bank and developments were being planned by the Generator Group. More information is held on the current community group website for the chocolate factory (External Links below). In August 2014, the site's new owners Generator South West look likely to proceed with a new project after holding a public meeting to understand local residents' opinions. The plan is to create open spaces around a development of flats and housing.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Chocolate maker goes to Iceland, Europe Intelligence Wire, 4 March 2006
  2. ↑ A Sweet Friend of the Icelandic people; Nói Síríus expands beyond domestic shores Vol. 2 3-2006 page 13 October I&I (Issues and Images Iceland) magazine
  3. ↑ "Developer's plans for Bristol chocolate factory". This is Bristol. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  4. ↑ "School planned at former factory". This is Bristol. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  5. ↑ http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Hope-Bristol-s-Elizabeth-Shaw-factory-site/story-22127523-detail/story.html#YZMkVWbEXICdf0rr.99

External links

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Coordinates: 51°28′1″N 2°33′16.2″W / 51.46694°N 2.554500°W / 51.46694; -2.554500

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