Chocolatiers happy at heart of CBC community

Stephen and Barbara Burgess's company D&D Chocolates has blossomed in the 15 years since they moved to Centenary Business Centre.

When they bought the business, which manufactures and supplies chocolate for customers with a dairy intolerance, from esteemed writer and food expert Michelle Berridale-Johnson, they inherited a strong business.

And they quickly set about enhancing and expanding it, establishing new lines of Carob and Dairy Free Chocolate - a subject in which they always had a particular interest as their son has a dairy intolerance.

From their small but intensely productive base in Nuneaton, D&D's team of four supplies its unique products to customers far and wide, many via its website www.danddchocolates.com.

Once or twice over the years Stephen and Barbara have thought about leaving, to accommodate potential expansion, but each time they decided that the Centenary Centre has all they need.

"Occasionally we have thought 'shall we move'," said Stephen. "But every time the advantages of staying here have won the argument.

"One of the great things about having a base here is being among other businesses. One of the big problems of running a small business, particularly in the early days, is the sense of isolation. Often you only talk to the bank manager (who you don't necessarily want to talk to!) and customers. But at Centenary you are very much part of a community and that is a real benefit.

"It is a belter of a base, really, and gives us everything we need. We are in a niche market and one that Barbara and I were always interested in because our son has a dairy intolerance and we saw him missing out at times like Easter and Christmas.

"Now with our range of Carob and Dairy Free Chocolate no-one has to miss out!"