William Curley parts company with co-director to launch new venture

William Curley, the London-based award-winning chocolatier and patissier, has parted company with the co-director of his luxury chocolate business and will launch a new enterprise in May.

The split is amicable and Curley will retain his William Curley branding for his new venture. The current retail premises that bear the William Curley name in London's Belgravia and Richmond-Upon-Thames will be retained by Curley's former associate, who prefers to keep a low profile, and rebranded as R Chocolate London (after the family name of Rothschild).

Curley will retain a concession within Harrods department store in Knightsbridge, London.

Speaking exclusively to The Caterer Curley said: "I want to own 100% of my business and am thrilled to be continuing the association with Harrods."

He confirmed that he was entirely self-funding his new venture and would also be looking for new London retail premises in the future and seeking to develop corporate clients within the industry. He has already secured a central production unit (CPU) site in West London.

Over the last decade he has been recognised on four occasions as the UK's best chocolatier by the Academy of Chocolate in its biennial awards. Curley is also a member of the prestigious Relais Desserts association.

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