SWEET wholesaler Hancocks is celebrating 60 years with an event at its Bradford depot, which supplies to retailers, confectionery businesses and leisure outlets across West Yorkshire.
The store, on the Euroway Industrial Estate near the M606, has been in existence for 40 years, but the nationwide group is marking its sixth decade in the industry.
The company was set up in the Midlands in 1962 by Ray Hancocks and his wife Elizabeth who sold sweets wholesale from their small sweet shop.
Now it has 14 depots across the UK, an e-commerce site and the option for customers to click and collect.
The Bradford store, run by Linda Haley, opened its doors in 1981 and since then has seen a huge growth in trade. It is involved in marking the milestone for the company, on Thursday, September 22.
The Bradford depot has a mix of customers including popular soap Emmerdale, which displays Hancocks Bonds Shaker Cups in the farm shop on the ITV show.
It also has the Oldest Sweet Shop in the World, based in Pateley Bridge, as one of its customers.
In the last 12 months, Bradford has sold the equivalent weight of a double-decker bus in Kingsway giant strawberries and enough 99 flakes to make 370,000 ice creams.
Hancocks stocks major UK brands, a large range of pick and mix, as well as confectionery from around the world including the US.
Hancocks Bradford manager Linda Haley said: “For any business to reach such an anniversary is a real milestone, even more so after the last two years and the changes we’ve all had to make to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic.
“We’ve seen our customer base evolve during that period. There’s been an influx of different businesses adding on confectionery for online sales and delivery options.
“More recently, our customers have told us that they’re looking for value for money and are passing that saving on to their customers. Our unrivalled range means we’re able to offer great value and top-quality products.”
During the anniversary celebrations, there will be a number of deals and the chance to win prizes, for customers in Bradford.
Michael Keeley from Chocky Mike has shopped at the Bradford branch for 27 years and says it has changed his business for the better.
“Not only that it's been a pleasure to have made friends at the branch, which adds to the shopping experience. I've always found the staff and management very friendly, helpful and always willing to go that extra mile.”
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