106 year old confectionery start-up decides it’s time to showcase its authentic northern heritage | London Daily News

Reading the latest global food & drinks trends piece by Wholefoods Market, it’s interesting to note that today two of most influential food and drinks cues in these tough economic headwinds are ‘cultural roots’ and ‘nostalgic, childhood’ memories, as consumers proactively seek out small yet meaningful lifts throughout the day in the guise of small simple treats that either improve one’s own mood (self-treating) or bolster the happiness of others via the medium of ‘everyday affordable’ gifting.

Few food categories provoke happy nostalgic reactions more than authentic, handcrafted confectionery and if you’re looking for a trusted voice within this field, it’s hard to look beyond Stockley’s of the North, the proud project of Malcolm Stockley, who on returning home from WW1 trenches (1918), decided that Lancashire provided the perfect location to launch a passionate handcrafted sweets manufacturer tasked with restoring some simple ‘sweet-themed’ joy via the medium of top-drawer confectionery.

Today, 106 years down Stockley’s is still going strong, if not better than ever because 2024 was the moment Stockley’s hatched its ambitious plan to build upon its status as a trusted ‘below the radar’ supplier to the UK’s favourite sweet shops to become a branded speciality sector leader in its own right

According to Stockley’s spokesperson, Andy Valentine,

“In many ways you could almost consider Stockley’s to be a 100 year old start-up that’s finally finding its own voice, because whilst confectionery aficionados have been merrily munching our squidgy-centred Cola Cubes, our long-lasting Pear Drops, our one-of-a-kind Coltsfoot Rock and Crumbly Butter Fudges, few would have been aware that Stockley’s from Lancashire were the architects of these small batch, sweet treats. Today, more than ever consumers want to foster stronger bonds with trusted ‘old-school’ manufacturers who remain a far cry from the small number of conveyor belt churning multinationals who continue to dominate most food & drinks aisles.”

Whilst supplying the UK’s intricate network of independent sweet shops will remain central to the Stockley’s wider vision, there’s a growing appetite by the top team to showcase their fine confectionery flair by bringing bespoke subtle twists on everyday classics to the UK’s bustling speciality sector, be that dreamy Berries & Cream sweets packed with real cream and zingy raspberry centres, extra tangy chocolate limes and orange sweets, spicy Christmas Pudding fudge OR light, crispy salted caramel Malt Balls smothered in caramel-themed blonde chocolate, Stockley’s are determined to engage more readily with end consumers so that they become increasingly aware of Stockley’s unique legacy within top-notch sugary (& sugar-free) sweets innovation.

“Yes, the world’s a slightly glum place at the moment,” concludes Andy, “but with Stockley’s working tirelessly in the name of ‘fine confectionery appreciation,’ we hope to keep providing some much-needed sweet relief.”