14th July 2025

The Chocolate Works is archived!

Two of our members – John Stevens and Mave Morris – have researched the evolution of the Chocolate Works site on Bishopthorpe Road in York. Used for agriculture for hundreds of years, there was a dramatic change in the late 1920s, when the site was chosen by the Terry’s confectionery business as the location of their new factory. There was a further dramatic change in 2005, when the factory ceased work. 

The site was then transformed into a modern residential complex of small apartment blocks and town houses. The historic Terry’s buildings were re-purposed for a variety of residential and commercial uses. In June 2024, John and Mave's report, The Chocolate Works, York: Change through Time, was published, and in July it was made available on our web site here.  

During their research John and Mave made extensive use of the Terry’s Archive at the Borthwick Institute at the University of York. The Borthwick staff were very helpful in providing access to their records, allowing the reproduction of key photographs and scanning a really interesting plan of the factory in its formative phase.

We are pleased to report that the Borthwick has now made our research report available online, and has completed the cataloguing of the Terry’s Archive. The latter should help ensure that the records are more accessible and that any future research into the Terry’s business will be easier. You can see these resources here.

The transformations of the Terry’s site arguably represents the biggest developmental change in the recent history of our area. Local history groups have an important role in documenting social and economic change for the benefit of future generations.