Fudge Kitchen Announces Chester Opening as First New Shop in Nearly a Decade

Fudge Kitchen, the much-loved British confectionery brand renowned for its handcrafted fudge, immersive customer experiences and artisan heritage, has announced plans to open a new shop in Chester – marking the company's first new store opening in approximately ten years.

The forthcoming Chester store at 6-8 Watergate Street is scheduled to open in August and represents a significant milestone for the business.  It signals a new chapter of growth for the independent brand, which has been delighting visitors across the UK for more than four decades.

Located in one of the country's most vibrant heritage cities, situated in the UK’s Northwest, Fudge Kitchen Chester will bring the company's unique blend of live fudge-making demonstrations, artisan confectionery and memorable customer experiences to residents and visitors alike.

In line with the company’s purposeful sustainability ethos and commitment to decarbonisation, it will be the first Fudge Kitchen store to run fully on renewable energy - featuring only electric cooking appliances powered by renewable energy sources. Since becoming employee-owned in 2022, Fudge Kitchen has placed sustainability at the heart of its operations, championing quality ingredient sourcing, zero-waste fudge making and responsible packaging and printing solutions.

The opening builds on the success of Fudge Kitchen's six established locations in Bath, Canterbury, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Windsor, and York, where the shops have become popular attractions, drawing visitors with the sight, sound and aroma of fresh fudge being crafted by hand in-store throughout the day.

Fudge Kitchen's distinctive retail model combines traditional confectionery-making techniques with experiential retail, creating a destination that appeals to families, tourists, food lovers and gift shoppers. The Chester shop will continue this approach, offering visitors the opportunity to watch skilled fudge makers at work while sampling freshly made products.

Ian McCluskey, Fudge Kitchen Retail Director, said:

"We are incredibly excited to be bringing Fudge Kitchen to Chester. The city's rich history, strong visitor economy and vibrant independent retail culture make it a natural home for our next chapter."

"Our shops are more than fudge shops. They're destinations where visitors can experience traditional craft skills in action, meet passionate makers and discover the story behind every batch. We've seen how our other stores in UK cities with strong visitor economies have become part of the fabric of those destinations, and we're looking forward to becoming part of the Chester community too."

The announcement comes at a time when destination-led retail experiences continue to play an increasingly important role in attracting visitors to high streets and heritage locations. Fudge Kitchen's emphasis on craftsmanship, theatre and customer engagement has helped the brand remain resilient and relevant within an evolving retail landscape.

Alongside welcoming visitors, Fudge Kitchen is keen to become an active member of Chester's business and cultural community. The company looks forward to working with local organisations, tourism partners, businesses and community groups as plans progress towards opening.

The Chester shop will create a new attraction for the city centre, adding to Chester's already strong food, drink and retail offering while giving visitors another reason to explore the city and extend their stay.

Further details about the opening, including launch activities and opening dates, will be announced in the coming months.

For updates, visit https://www.fudgekitchen.co.uk/

Instagram: @fudgekitchen_uk and Facebook: @fudgekitchen