Former Prime Minister Theresa May cut the ribbon opening a chocolate shop near Reading on Saturday.
It is the first brick and mortar store owned by Chocolates for Chocoholics, in Hurst, which has been making sweet treats in its factory for almost 50 years.
Director Victoria Cossey, whose parents founded the factory, said people journeyed from as far as Oxford to see the opening.
“It was quite nerve-wracking because we don’t know how it was going to go,” she said, adding she was reassured by queues building up early I the day.
“It went brilliantly, it was really good,” she added.
Victoria has been helping her parents, Liz and Roger Cossey, at the chocolate factory since she was eight years old and became director in 2007.
The new shop will be managed by an existing employee, Pam, who also has more than 25 years-experience at the factory.
Victoria explained that by converting an existing building and staffing it with employees already on their payroll, she was able to expand the business during the cost of living crisis.
Construction bills were significantly lowered and the space already used energy during chocolate workshops.
“Prices are going up across the board. Everything from our boxes, the paper, our chocolate prices have gone up.
“We’re doing as much as we can. We have had to increase our prices.
“But the feedback we get from customers is that people can’t necessarily afford to go on holiday or buy a new car, especially at the moment, but even in recent years but chocolate is a little bit of luxury that doesn’t cost very much.”
She continued: “People don’t need to spend the earth to buy chocolate from us.
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“That’s quite important to us. We’re all in the same boat with the crisis at the moment and we’ve tried to make it as easy as possible to enjoy something and feel like they’ve had a little bit of luxury without breaking the bank.”
Victoria added that it was nice to hear some personal words from Mrs May, who she called a “huge supporter” of the shop, often buying Christmas presents for her staff from them.
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During her visit, the former Prime Minister said: “It’s a wonderful business and it’s great to see you continuing to thrive.
“It’s been going for 36 years. I haven’t been buying chocolate for all of those years, but for quite a few of them I have to say, I have been.
Chocolates for Chocoholics is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
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