Thorntons today is a £180 million turnover company with 360 shops and cafes and 230 franchises together with internet, mail order and commercial services. Since the takeover of Cadburys by US company Kraft, Thorntons is now the largest independent chocolate and confectionery company in the United Kingdom. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE Fledgling Index.

I LOVE THORNTONS

There is something deeply nostalgic about Thorntons for me. Sure I love their products, the special toffee I grew up on, the liquorice and treacle toffees always make if a difficult choice what to buy, £0.99 for a small bag. The Viennese truffles, (£2.99 per bag, contains about 12 truffles, or 2 for £5.00) so sought after they are sold out more often than not and the caramel shortcakes (pictured) now available in the supermarket, irresistable. This chocolate shop chain is quintessentially British, a taste of affordable luxury and I would be devastated if they disappeared from our high street.

I was so shocked when this favourite hit the news last year announcing 180 store closures over 3 years due to falling sales and stiff competition from cheaper rivals. We have already seen Cadbury's purchased by American giant Kraft; and personally I think the chocolate recipe has suffered as result. Have your tasted Herseys? The Americans do many things well but making chocolate is not one of them, so we don't want to see our beloved Thorntons follow the same path.

We have all witnessed brands we imagined would remain part of the shopping landscape in the UK forever go to the wall, so we the consumer must make the effort to buy the things we really love, even in moderation and not favour quantity over quality by buying the cheapest or more convenient option.

If we don't support wonderful British brands selling quality products like Thorntons they will disappear for sure (or be swallowed up by a giant) and the tastes and smells we have enjoyed for years will be gone forever.