Page 17 - NewsandViews Summer 2024

A glass and a half for 200 years: (Excerpts)

From John Cadbury's small Quaker shop to global empire Olivia Christie

From its humble beginnings as a small grocer's shop
in Birmingham, Cadbury has been delighting the nation's taste buds for
two centuries. As Cadbury officially celebrates its 200th birthday (today),
MailOnline has taken a look back in time at Britain's favourite chocolate
brand.

Cadbury was founded by the nation's very own Willy Wonka, John
Cadbury, in 1824 on Bull Street in Birmingham. Amongst the array of
goods sold at the grocer's shop, John introduced hand-made drinking
chocolate which laid the foundation for the brand today.

John saw cocoa as a healthy alternative to alcohol -something as a
Quaker he was keen to encourage. He was originally a tea dealer and
coffee roaster but he also sold hops, mustard, patent cocoa and cocoa
nibs. John started selling different types of cocoa and moved to a factory
on Bridge Street, Birmingham in 1831. To entice wealthy customers in,
the shop was the first in Birmingham to have plate glass windows with
mahogany frames which John is said to have cleaned every day. The shop
had attractive displays including Chinese vases and oriental figurines that contained black and green tea.
With a commitment to quality and innovation, Cadbury rapidly expanded, captivating Britons with its
irresistible treats.

The man behind the chocolate: John Cadbury who founded Cadbury's in 1824, is pictured
in a black and white portrait. By 1864 the company was being run by John’s sons,
Richard and George and the brothers were keen to distinguish themselves from cocoa
and chocolate manufacturers. A purer, more luxurious drinking chocolate called Cocoa
Essence was introduced by the pair in 1866. This product used a new process which
pressed cocoa butter from the cocoa beans, and it is this that was the forerunner of the
cocoa known and loved today. The excess cocoa butter from the press could then be
used to make an early form of eating chocolate and the company went on to launch its
first chocolate assortment boxes.

Richard and George soon got sick of Birmingham slums and in 1878 they moved to a rural site four miles out
of the city in a place called Bournville. Taking the name of the model village Bournville grew into a haven for
staff where they could live, work and play. Alongside semi-detached cottages with gardens for the workers,
there was a field next to the factory where men and women could play cricket and football; a garden and
playground for the girls; and proper welfare provisions. Over the years, sports facilities grew to include
hockey, tennis, squash and bowling facilities. Eventually, swimming pools were built with everyone in
Bournville taught how to swim. Staff days out were common, and for workers living outside of Bournville,
Cadbury negotiated reduced train fares with the local railway company. Education was made available for
everyone and the company actively encouraged vocations outside of their business interest.

Over the years, sports facilities grew to include hockey, tennis, squash and bowling facilities….but, a place of
virtuous living, no pub was allowed in Bournville, a rule which still applies today.

Author of A History of Cadbury, Diane Wordsworth said: The Cadburys as a family did much for social welfare
and reform. Some may think the business was too patriarchal - and in today's climate they would probably
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