What happened when Kraft took over Terry's of York
The 65-year-old, who used to remember the smell of chocolate, is now a self-employed landscaper and groundsman for the Bustardthorpe Allotment, which sits next door to the factory.
He said: “I remember the factory in its heyday when 2,500 people worked over there. The area was thriving, it was an enormous place. I used to deliver sacks
of cocoa beans.
“The downfall started when the Terry’s family sold the first time.
“Kraft never had any intention of keeping production here in York. As soon as they came in it was finished, it was all greed and chasing the megabucks.
“They were always going to ship it out to somewhere cheaper and I think they will do the same with Cadbury.
“We hardly have any businesses now, we only have tourism. It’s so sad to see the factory in the state that it is in. The developers have plans to turn it into a big posh hotel and offices, but they have to
keep the main buildings as they are.
“It’s still part of York, it’s our heritage.”
A neighbouring business said the closure had a massive impact on the community.
The owners of the Knasernire Grill, which also trades close to the gates of the old factory, said lots of York people still refused to eat Terry’s products.
The couple, who have sold food near to the factory for eight years, didn’t want their names printed, but said: “People in York are still really angry. I know lots of them that won’t eat Terry’s.
“There is also anger about the move to buy Cadbury because they think the same thing will happen.
“We saw a big change in custom when it closed. The passing trade just disappeared. It was not just the workers, it was the truckers too.
“The factory brought us lots of business. They did not just deliver cocoa, it was everything.
“Other businesses have been forced to close. Lots of small shops, chip shops and a few pubs have closed.
“It has had a big impact on the community. It was only agency staff in the end and I will never forget the solid six-month procession of huge trucks and containers that came along and shipped
everything over to Europe.”
