Terry's

For the West End theatre see Terry's Theatre.

Terry's was a British chocolate and confectionery maker based in York, England. It was founded in 1767 and in 1993 it was taken over by Kraft Foods. The company's headquarters, later renamed The Chocolate Works factory, was closed by Kraft in 2005; products using the Terry's brand name are now produced in Kraft facilities in Poland, Sweden, Belgium, and Slovakia. The Terry's name eventually became part of Mondelēz International.

History

In 1767, Robert Berry opened a shop close to Bootham Bar, York, selling cough lozenges, lemon and orange candied peel, and other sweets.^[1] He became partners with William Bayldon, and they renamed the business Bayldon and Berry Confectionery.^[2]

Joseph Terry, who was born in Pocklington, went to York to serve as an apprentice apothecary in Stonegate. On gaining his certificates, he set up as a chemist in Walmgate. After marrying Harriet Atkinson in 1823, Terry met Robert Berry, his wife's elderly uncle. After William Bayldon left the confectionery business,^[1] Terry agreed to become a partner; he closed his chemists shop and joined the confectionery business, which was now based in St Helen's Square, York.^[3]

Terry's of York

In 1825, after the death of Robert Berry,^[1] Terry agreed to a new partnership with Robert's son George; they renamed the business Terry & Berry. In 1828, George left the business and it was renamed Terry's of York.^[1] Using the skills he learnt as a chemist, Joseph developed new lines of chocolate, confectionery, sugared sweets, candied peel, marmalade, and medicated lozenges. He began using the developing railway network of the North Eastern Railway to distribute his products in the North of England and in London.^[3]

Sir Joseph Terry

Joseph Terry retired in 1850 shortly before his death, handing over the business to his sons Joseph Jnr, Robert, and John.^[1] Joseph quickly expanded the business; four years later he moved production to a leased site at Clementhorpe, beside the River Ouse.^[3] This allowed easy shipment of raw products into the new production facility from the Humber estuary; twice weekly a steam ship brought ingredients, including sugar and cocoa, as well as coal to power the new steam-powered machinery, He renamed the business Joseph Terry & Sons.^[3] The company retained the St Helen's Square premises as a shop and restaurant; as of 2016, the Terry name is still on the front of the building.^[3]

Terry's Confectionery Works

The former Terry's chocolate factory, 2008. Taken from the 4th floor of the Ebor stand at York Racecourse

Grade II listed Art Deco-style Time Office and clock tower, seen from the Bishopthorpe Road, York

The Chocolate Works factory clock tower, with York Racecourse in the background

In 1923, Frank and Noel Terry joined the family business. They restructured the company, launched new products, and bought a site in Bishopthorpe Road, York, on which to develop a new factory known as Terry's Confectionery Works. The new factory was built in an Art Deco style and included a distinctive clock tower.^[4] It was opened in 1926; new products including the Chocolate Apple (1926), Terry's Chocolate Orange (1931), and Terry's All Gold, which were developed and produced onsite.^[1]

Second World War

With the onset of the Second World War, confectionery production was immediately halted. The factory was taken over by F. Hills and Sons of Manchester as a shadow factory to manufacture and repair aircraft propeller blades.^[1]

Post-War

After the war ended, the factory was handed back to the company. Production was difficult because of rationing and limited imports of raw cocoa. As a result, in 1954 production of the chocolate apple was phased out in favour of increased production of the chocolate orange.^[1] The Colgate-Palmolive Company acquired Joseph Terry & Sons Ltd. from Trust House Forte Ltd. in April 1977. United Biscuits (Holdings) Ltd. (UB) acquired Joseph Terry & Sons Ltd. from Colgate in 1982; Terry's formed the bulk of their confectionery division.^[5] After UB ran into financial difficulties in the 1990s, they sold their confectionery division to Kraft Foods in 1993. Kraft amalgamated Terry's with Jacobs Suchard to create Terry's Suchard.^[6]

From 2000, the company brand was changed from Terry's of York to Terry's, reducing the company's links with York. Production was also scaled back to UK products and Terry's Chocolate Orange, Terry's All Gold, and Twilight made for the international market.^[7] In 2012, Kraft split into two companies; one called Kraft Foods Group and the other called Mondelēz International.^[8][9] After the split, Terry's became part of Mondelēz.^[10]

Closure

In 2004, Kraft Foods decided to absorb Terry's, move production of remaining products such as All Gold and Chocolate Orange to factories in Belgium, Sweden, Poland, and Slovakia, and close the plant.^[7] The factory closed on 30 September 2005 with the loss of 317 jobs.^[6] The site was bought by developers Grantside and renamed The Chocolate Works. In February 2010, planning permission for a £165 million redevelopment of the site as a mixed-use of residential, commercial and leisure was given.^[11] Redevelopment started in 2011 with the removal of asbestos and the demolition of non-scheduled buildings in early 2012.^[12]

Terry's Family

Sir Joseph Terry was Lord Mayor of York in 1874, 1885-86 and 1890.

Sir Francis Terry (Frank Terry) was High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1945-46 and Peter Terry, son of Noel Terry, was High Sheriff of North Yorkshire in 1980-81.

The original Terry's family still resides in England, with great grandson to Noel Terry, Alexander Terry attending Newcastle University.

References