One of the makers of Kendal's famous mint cake are licking their lips in anticipation after snapping up the rights of a company which once made Walnut Whip and Rolos a household name.

J.E Wilson and Sons (Kendal) Limited and its Creative Confectionery Company have acquired part of chocolate manufacturers, Duncan's of Scotland, of Bellshill, Lanarkshire.

The firm, which marketed its brands as The Scots Word for Chocolate' was established in 1861, but went into liquidation earlier this year.

The Kendal company saw the opportunity to buy the "profitable core business" and an undisclosed deal was struck.

It means five different chocolate bars made by Duncan's will now be produced and distributed from Kendal, which will require £250,000 investment and create five jobs.

The brands are Duncan's Original Hazelnut, Toffee Chocolate, Ginger Chocolate, Mint Chocolate and the Manhattan.

Andrew Wilson, of J.E Wilson, said part of Duncan's plant will be moved to Kendal after refurbishment and modernisation, with the first products made in town by September.

Mr Wilson explained: "It has all happened very quickly really, over the last two weeks.

"We saw they were in the hands of the receivers and thought there was a core business there that could be useful to us.

"The challenge will be to make it work. To see a name continue, which has over 140 years of heritage, is very good."

He said the Duncan's brand had a "terrific" distribution north of the border which it plans to continue, as well as introducing the brands to England.

"We are quite excited. It is a good challenge to try to make it work and some positive news for Kendal," said Mr Wilson.

Duncan's was established by Mary Duncan and was the creator of Walnut Whips and Rolo's before it was developed by Rowntrees.

In the 1950s, it was Britain's largest exporter of chocolate and employed 2,800 people in Edinburgh.

Meanwhile, another Kendal mint cake maker, D. Quiggin and Son, has submitted a planning application to extend its Low Fellside site in anticipation of a big order for brandy butter which could lead to the creation of two jobs.

Director Daniel Quiggin explained that it expected to hear within three weeks if it had clinched the order and if so, whether to proceed with expansion plans.

If all goes well, South Lakeland District Council will be asked to determine Quiggin's bid to build a two-storey, 143-square metre extension to form more storage and production space.

April 17, 2003 15:00