Major deal signed to take Siocled bars nationwide

THE incredible success of a chocolate venture launched to save Christmas for tearoom staff has seen the company agree a manufacturing and distribution deal.

Richard Holt decided not to reopen his cafe at Melin Llynnon in Llanddeusant after the first lockdown period of the pandemic for fears implementing social distancing regulations would not be possible at the Anglesey site.

But in the autumn he decided to create a new initiative to secure his staff’s work and engage with the community – turning the tearoom into a small chocolate factory.

It proved an incredible success with more than 16,000 chocolate bars sold between the launch on November 9 and Christmas.

This has seen him sign a deal with Wales’s largest chocolate factory.

Gwynedd Confectioners, run by Steve Valentine, Lorraine Rees-Pritchard and their son Paul Valentine, will manufacture and distribute Siocled nationwide from its site in Bala – with hundreds of thousands of bars set to be produced.

Melin Llynnon staff will now focus on developing new flavours for the future.

A spokesman for Gwynedd Confectioners said: “We are honoured to have been chosen to work with such a skilled artist.

“We are very excited to work with Richard and build the Siocled brand throughout Wales.”

Richard, a high-end patisserie chef and star of S4C TV show, Anrhegion Melys Richard Holt, said: “The day after we released the bars, the big bosses of the largest chocolate factory in Wales were on my doorstep offering their services.

“I couldn’t believe it! A few weeks later we came to a deal and I still have to pinch myself every day.

“I am so excited that Siocled will be available

Richard Holt, Melin Llynnon has partnered up with Gwynedd Confectioners, run by Steve Valentine, Lorraine Rees-Pritchard and their son Paul Valentine. Picture by Kate McCallum. Right: Richard at Melni Llynnon across Wales.

“The recipe is exactly the same as before, only done on a bigger scale.

“I am so proud of my team and I am thrilled we were able to save their jobs.

“This move does not mean they will lose these new jobs, but it will free us up to work on more exciting Siocled products.”