Bendicks

History

In 1930 Oscar Benson and Colonel 'Bertie' Dickson bought a confectionery business at 164 Church Street in Kensington, London, where chocolates were made in a tiny basement below the shop. They combined the first syllable of each surname to form the name Bendicks. The following year, Benson's sister-in-law Lucia Benson created a dark chocolate so bitter it was nearly inedible alone, and paired it with a mint fondant so strongly flavoured with mint oil that it was also difficult to eat on its own. Together they produced a palatable chocolate named Bendicks Bittermints, whose coating contains 95% cocoa solids.

By 1933 the company had developed a reputation for quality and opened a new store in London's exclusive Mayfair. The Duke of Kent, son of King George V, was a prominent visitor for the Bittermints, and the firm became known as Bendicks of Mayfair. In 1946 the business was sold to Edgar Lawley. By 1952 Bendicks had moved to a building in Winchester, Hampshire, that bridged St. Thomas Street and Little Minster Street; this structure, built around 1890, had been The Winchester Temperance Billiards Hall and was later demolished for residential properties and garages. The company had also acquired the business of William Cox & Son, makers of Royal Winchester Chocolates (a name since discontinued), which had been located in St. George's Street, Winchester.

In 1962 Bendicks was awarded the Royal Warrant: "By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen." The main part of the business was chocolate-coated confectionery, all hand-dipped, giving a thicker chocolate layer; the availability of female dippers constrained growth. They also produced nougat and chocolate bars. Bittermints could be purchased in 9-inch, 18-inch, and 36-inch boxes (by the yard). In 1967 the business moved to a purpose-built factory in Moorside Road, Winchester. During the 1960s it was acquired by Wood Hall Trust Ltd., which was itself acquired by Elders IXL in 1982. Later, enrobing equipment was introduced, increasing production.