Chocolate Factory

On a 1906 map of the city I've noticed at the top of Mile Lane by the junctions with Park Road/St Patricks Road there's a sizable building marked Chocolate Factory? Its next to the Kitson/Maudslay Motor Works. Never seen/heard a reference to that - anyone?

Hi Neil, ring a ding ding, this was a topic of conversation within the family only a few days ago and and wondered if there was a confectionery factory (Coventry owned) whether now or in the past ever in Coventry. I hope we can hear more about this topic as I think it would be very interesting.

It was "Rademaker's Chocolate Factory". Before that that the building was occupied by "The Beeston Motor Co" from 1897-1900 Then it became "Rademaker's" until, 1905 After that it was the "Swift Motor Co" I think! A newspaper article from 26th October, 1900 COVENTRY TRADE NOTES. The plant, for Messrs. Rademaker's cocoa and chocolate works, is being delivered at factor; purchased short time ago from the Beeston Motor Co. The plant is of a bulky character, and of considerable weight, and it roughly estimated that the works will not be in full swing for three months. The firm, whose full title is Messrs. Rademaker's Cocoa and Chocolate Company, include in their productions every form of cocoa and chocolate in both plain and fancy goods. Messrs. Rademaker's bead factory is at Cologne and they enjoy a wide Continental reputation. Their works in Coventry are the first to established in the United Kingdom by the firm. Most of the processes of manufacture are carried out by machinery, and the plant now being put in at Coventry is said to be of the most up-to-date character. The susceptibilities of persons resident in the neighbourhood as the effect of the various processes of manufacture may be set at rest by the assurance of Messrs. Rademaker's representative, that there will not be the slightest nuisance annoyance, any odour that may arise being of pleasant character rather than otherwise. Edited by member, 25th Mar 2014 6:46 pm

That's a good one Foxy, a tad before my time, but a good one. They were not there long though were they. I think I could have worked there, think of all the freebies!