Bon Bon’s (Wholesale) Ltd seeks expansion to Tockwith site

Bon Bon’s (Wholesale) Ltd supplies confectionery to more than 1,000 specialist retailers, garden high-end independent retailers and visitor attractions.

The expanding company, based at Moorside Business Park, Tockwith, reports turnover now exceeds £14million, an increase of £3million since it relocated to the 3.2ha site from Thorpe Arch in 2021.

Since the relocation, sales have increased year-on-year, with more stock stored on-site, especially at peak periods.

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Now, the business, founded in 2007, has submitted a full planning application to North Yorkshire Council for its site to create a 40,000 sq ft warehouse to the west of its existing 1.15ha site.

Planning documents submitted to the council say the company now employs 85 staff.

The site just outside Tockwith (Image: Darren Greenwood)

Its relocation from nearby Thorpe Arch followed a period of growth, fuelled by the company buying hf Chocolates.

The current premises total 55,000 sq ft, some 25,000 sq ft is storage space, and the remainder being offices and production facilities.

However, a planning statement prepared by ELG Planning of Darlington says storage space for the business must be secure and close to existing production areas.

The company does not store the perishable items for more than three months, so the extra space is need for the continued success of the business.

The application also said: “With space required for packing, production and storage, the existing premises is now fully utilised and additional and dedicated undercover/secure storage space is now sought.”

The company had looked at alternatives to the extension, noting that new units at H47 by the A1 (M) and at Thorpe Arch would not be ready in time. Furthermore, it was not practical or functional to relocate again, noting the relocation to Moorside cost the company £1million.

Some of the bon bons (Image: Darren Greenwood)

The application also noted a similar warehouse scheme on the same site was approved in 2017 but the previous occupier did not go ahead with the scheme.

It also concluded the scheme would have minor visual impact and would enhance the “quantum and mix” of commercial sites in the district, meeting the council’s underlying economic objectives.