Unforgotten Brands – Cadbury
From one shop in 1824 to global shelves, Cadbury’s core values remain the same: quality, honesty, and joy.
It all began on March 4th, 1824, when John Cadbury opened a small grocery store in the heart of Birmingham. Little did anyone know that this humble shop would lay the foundation for what would become one of the world’s most iconic chocolate brands.
1824: A Modest Start
Initially, the store sold tea, coffee, and drinking chocolate—the latter made by John himself using just a pestle and mortar. People enjoyed chocolate as a luxurious beverage, not in bars like they do today. For the well-off Georgians of the era, sipping chocolate symbolised status.
John wasn’t just a shopkeeper. He was a Quaker who believed in doing things correctly — no cheating, no shortcuts. He made sure every packet was weighed right and priced reasonably. Even children with a single penny got a full cup of cocoa.
John’s little shop soon succeeded, allowing him to open a warehouse in 1831 and a new factory by 1847.
The Cadbury Brothers Take the Leap
Fast forward to 1847. John brought his brother Benjamin into the business.
They brought in steam-powered machines to grind cocoa beans.
John focused on making better chocolate, while Benjamin hit the road to sign up sellers across England. In just one year, they doubled production. Their strengths clicked—one handled the craft, and the other grew the business.
A Royal Seal of Trust
In 1854, Cadbury earned something big — a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria. That allowed them to say, “Cocoa and Chocolate Makers to the Queen.” With the royal crest on their packaging, shops proudly displayed Cadbury products.
For customers, it wasn’t just chocolate — it was chocolate trusted by royalty.
A New Chapter with John Cadbury’s Sons
In 1861, Richard and George Cadbury (sons of John Cadbury) inherited a struggling family business on the verge of collapse.
With £4,000 of their savings, they rented a four-storey factory in Birmingham.
Determined to turn things around, the brothers invested in a revolutionary Van Houten cocoa press from the Netherlands. This innovation removed cocoa butter, creating a smoother and purer chocolate, unlike the adulterated varieties others were producing.
Other manufacturers then padded their chocolate with animal fat, red lead, and even brick dust.
With better quality came growing demand, and soon, the factory on Bridge Street was too small to keep up.
Bournville — A Factory in a Garden
Instead of expanding in a grimy, crowded city centre, the brothers imagined a better place for their factory and workers. In 1879, they purchased 14.5 acres of land in the countryside south of Birmingham, where fresh air, greenery, and excellent living conditions were plentiful. It was an ideal spot with the Bourne Brook flowing through it, the Worcester Canal, and a railway nearby.
They named it Bournville, a witty homage to French flair, as French chocolate was considered the benchmark at the time.
In keeping with Cadbury’s Quaker values, the village famously banned pubs and alcohol and thoughtfully designed homes for workers with spacious gardens.
The Bournville factory grew to become the world’s largest cocoa producer, employing up to 15,000 people.
A Community Built to Last
George Cadbury established the Bournville Village Trust, ensuring the area would remain a thriving, inclusive community. The trust developed schools, parks, churches, and sports facilities, and while Cadbury employees lived there, they never made up more than 40% of the residents.
Today, the trust manages thousands of homes across 1,000 acres, and the annual Bournville Village Festival continues to celebrate the community’s spirit.
The Birth of Dairy Milk
One of the most beloved chocolate bars in British history was introduced in 1905.
Dairy Milk was born with more milk than any other chocolate bar. Each bar packed the goodness of 2.5 glasses of milk. People found it smoother, creamier, and sweeter than dark chocolate.
Swiss brands were dominating the milk chocolate scene. But Dairy Milk put Britain back in the race — and soon became Cadbury’s top-selling product.
While it was nearly called “Highland Milk” or “Dairy Maid”, the final name, “Dairy Milk,” came from a customer’s young daughter — and it stuck. By 1925, it was the nation’s top-selling bar, a proudly held title.
Goes to War
When World War II began, Cadbury didn’t stop working. Instead, they made a strategic shift.
In 1939, parts of the Bournville factory produced military equipment. Workers made parts for Spitfire aircraft and other machines.
It was their way of helping the country while still supporting their employees.
Growth Through Mergers – 1919–1969
Cadbury expanded its reach by merging with Fry’s in 1919 — another Quaker-founded chocolate company known for creating the first solid bar in 1847. Later, in 1969, Cadbury joined forces with Schweppes, forming Cadbury Schweppes, before splitting again in 2008 to focus solely on confectionery.
Despite closing its Somerdale plant in 2010, Cadbury had cemented its place as a confectionery titan by then.
Chocolate Controversy in Europe
When the UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973, Cadbury found itself embroiled in a heated debate. European regulators claimed Cadbury’s chocolate didn’t meet the standards due to its use of vegetable fats. Cadbury refused to change its recipe, resulting in a nearly three-decade-long battle before finally winning approval in 2000.
Welcome to Cadbury World
Inspired by the magic of chocolate, Cadbury opened Cadbury World in 1990. It is a unique experience blending factory tours, interactive exhibits, and theme park fun. It draws over half a million visitors annually and, as of 2023, is operated by Merlin Entertainments.
2010: The Kraft Takeover
In a controversial move, Cadbury was acquired by Kraft Foods in a deal worth £11.5 billion. The backlash was immediate, with many protesting the loss of a beloved British institution. Despite assurances, Kraft later closed the Somerdale site and cut jobs across the UK.
Cadbury eventually became part of Mondelez International, with Bournville positioned as a global research hub for chocolate innovation.
Cadbury Today
Cadbury has come a long way from a single shop in 1824 to a brand found in millions of homes today.
Today, Cadbury still produces more than 130,000 tonnes of chocolate annually at its historic Bournville site, with modern upgrades and millions invested in its facilities. While fewer employees work there now than a decade ago, the factory remains a cornerstone of British chocolate-making.
From a single shop in Birmingham to shelves around the globe, Cadbury’s story is one of tradition, innovation, and community spirit — a sweet success that continues to evolve.
But through it all, its core values have stayed the same: quality, honesty, and a little bit of happiness in every bite.
Reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadbury
https://www.cadbury.co.uk/about/history/our-story
