Hancocks: 60th Year Celebration

Hancocks Confectionery Wholesale originally started out as a Loughborough business founded in the early 60s is celebrating its milestone 60th birthday this year.

Confectionery wholesaler Hancocks, based on Jubilee Drive, started life in 1962 in a Shepshed sweetshop on Britannia Street with owner Ray Hancock and his wife Elizabeth selling sweets wholesale from their shop.

Now, the specialist retailer has 14 depots dotted across the UK, with a big online presence and its headquarters still based in the town. The business was subject to a management buy out in 2012 but has continued to retain its Loughborough roots, employing 51 people in the town.

Hancocks is marking its 60th year with events at each of its stores for suppliers and customers, with the first taking place at Loughborough on the 17th of February. The Loughborough store was the first of the Hancocks depots to open with customers travelling from across the UK to take advantage of the big selection of confectionery and competitive prices.

It supplies to customers across the country and as far afield as Canada, the USA, Pakistan and Cyprus with in-store customers including former X Factor winner Sam Bailey.

It stocks everything for sweet lovers from big brand chocolate and sweet makers to smaller artisan suppliers, a large vegan range and seasonal delights.

The manager of the Loughborough store, Dean Miller, has worked for Hancocks for over 40 years. Two of his team Linda Stevens and Sharon Barrowman have served the store for 24 and 21 years respectively. Dean first joined the business as a teenager and after spells in Birmingham and Coventry, came to Loughborough 23 years ago, working his way up to manager. Dean said: “We’re delighted to be opening our doors to customers and suppliers in Loughborough to celebrate Hancocks’ 60th anniversary, especially as our roots are in the town. “This is a big year for the business and a chance for us to meet with all the suppliers and retailers who have supported us over the last 60 years and been an integral part of the Hancocks’ journey. “I’ve been with the business a long time and have seen it grow and evolve to meet the changing shopping habits and tastes of the retailers who shop from us and their customers. I’m excited to see what the next 60 years will bring – certainly more exciting sweet treats.”

Dean added: “For our customers at the Loughborough store, we’ll have hundreds of great deals during our celebrations with huge savings as well to say thanks for their continued support. They’ll also have the chance to meet the brands and win some amazing prizes.”

Hancocks Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Summerley has been with the business for 34 years and is based in the town. Commenting on the celebrations planned for 2022, he said: “Reaching such a milestone anniversary is a testament to how our teams across the business work together, the service and products we’re able to supply to retailers, however large or small and the suppliers we work with on a daily basis.

“The last couple of years have been difficult for most businesses. We’ve invested heavily in our online offering and this combined with the 14 depots across the UK, means we offer flexibility and allow retailers to shop in the way they prefer.

“Ray Hancock and his wife were an inspirational couple who built this business from the ground up. It’s an honour for us to build on their legacy and develop our offering as we move into 2022 and the coming years and decades.”

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