It was a fortuitous foray into chocolatiering that brought new life to Maisie’s chocolate shop in Llandudno, Tim Winstanley told Janet Finch-Saunders MS on her recent trip to the store. Maisie’s was taken over by the Winstanley family in 2019 and, after a period piloting homemade carbonated drinks, a cocoa-induced eureka-moment saw the family venture into the artisanal hot-drinks market under the Pendragon Drinks label.
The Covid-safe visit followed the revelation that Tim has had to convert the entire bottom floor of the Llandudno Chocolate Experience into a temporary production site to work on the ever-growing number of orders which have poured in over the past year, with much industrious activity currently being targeted towards an exceptionally large bespoke order for chocolate stirrers to Sweden’s hospitality market.
Work is now underway to expand into nearby premises where production will be focussed, a move which is bolstered by the support of his parents, Karen and Richard. Welcoming the news of expansion, Janet said:
“The news that Tim is looking to expand the production side of this local and family run business, as well as branching into the creation of new machinery to make different types of chocolates, is very much a testament to his dedication and ingenuity. I wish the Winstanleys every success!
“By bolstering the production element of their growing chocolate business and exporting these luxury and Welsh-made products to markets such as Sweden, the Winstanleys are already bucking the trend of gloom that we hear too often about our economic prospects.
“They are a true asset to Llandudno, with their range becoming so popular that a number of customers have mentioned that they travel to Llandudno chiefly to visit Maisie’s. In fact, people have reportedly arrived from as far as Beverley, in Yorkshire, just to buy these delectable treats”
Maisie's Chocolate Shop stock of range of in-house and out-sourced luxury chocolates which are available to buy online. In usual times, visitors can visit and try samples as they journey round the museum. The Llandudno Chocolate Experience is a dark-room guided tour through the 5000-year history of chocolate with chocolate-associated rarities and paraphernalia sourced by the Winstanley’s from all over the world, including a bar of chocolate which has seen service in the Boer Wars of South Africa.
The trip was the part of Janet’s most recent business tour of Llandudno as the Member looks to support and celebrate local entrepreneurial talent as the region recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Maisie's Chocolate Shop is located at 25 Vaughan Street, Llandudno, LL30 1AH. Products can be ordered online at www.maisies.co
- The Llandudno Chocolate Experience can be found across the street at John Street Cocoa Works, Llandudno, LL30 2AB. More information can be found at www.llandudnochocolateexperience.co.uk
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS with Tim and Karen Winstanley.