Bittersweet memories of closing chocolate factory

Barbara Collins enjoyed taking part in the Preston Guild and Candy Bowl

When a family-run luxury chocolate manufacturer closed its doors last week after more than 100 years, it was the end of an era.

Beech's Fine Chocolates had been making artisan chocolates in its factory on Fletcher Road, Preston, since 1920, when sugar rationing ended after World War One.

Former workers have been sharing memories of working at the factory and their devastation at its closure.

Barbara Collins from Penwortham, said she "loved every minute" of her half-century working at Beech's from the age of 15 and "was and still is so proud to have worked there for 50 years".

Ms Collins' mother and father already worked there and her husband later joined the workforce, too.

"I left school at Easter and I walked into Beech's and I got a job. It's the people that worked there that made it."

She said she was "moulded" to work hard and learn respect and became a supervisor at 18".

She said: "It's devastating to see what's happened to it.

"When I first started we had over 100 staff and it was thriving, but over the years as I was leaving I could see the decline."

"It was my life... and it means everything to me and I was so proud of Beech's and I still am."

Beech's made artisan chocolates from 1920 onwards, when sugar rationing ended after World War One

Barbara Collins (second left) with staff members before hair nets became mandatory in the factory

The 74-year-old recalled being involved in the Preston Guild parade and Candy Ball, when all confectioners would meet up in Blackpool and pick a Candy Queen.

"That was lovely," she said.

"I met some lovely people of different nationalities there."

She said she still had friends who worked there and had now lost their jobs.

"It is so sad," she said.

John and Barbara Collins on the day she retired from Beech's in 2016 after 50 years

Doris Bryant, from Fulwood, also said she had happy memories from her time working at the family-owned firm.

The 90-year-old said she did not think she would be able to work there because of her sight problems, but was given a two-week trial when she was 16.

She ended up working there for 11 years, making up the boxes for continental chocolates.

She said she was soon "boxing up 144 dozen boxes a day".

Ms Bryant said it was a special place to work for the camaraderie.

"Working with all girls - they were so friendly and very good to me."

She remembered them spoiling her on her 21st birthday and having fun at the 1952 Preston Guild, as well as making huge chocolate Easter eggs for children's charities.

Monika Nejman said it was the people who made the job such a special place to work

Monica Nejman worked for Beech's for 18 years until the closure last.

She started at Beech's two months after moving to the UK in 2006.

"From the very beginning, I felt that this was exactly the place I wanted to work.

"Working at Beech's was like being part of one big family," she said, adding it could be tough but it was a "truly wonderful" place.

"I can honestly say I felt proud to work at Beech's," the 43-year-old said.

"I will dearly miss Beech's and all the friends I have made over the years.

She added: "It has been an unforgettable chapter in my life, one that I will always treasure."