The Story of Nutcombe Chocolates
Lorna Robbins started Nutcombe Chocolates in 2000 when we bought the workshop and chocolate making equipment from Anne and Lewis Lintern who had been operating as Lintern Chocolates for some 15 years and wanted to retire. Lorna initially trained with Anne and, with experience, developed her own techniques and style.
We joined the Exmoor Producers Association in 2001 which opened a co-operative shop in Washford Mill, not far from Minehead. At that time we started selling at Farmers Markets, namely Minehead, Taunton, Tiverton, Wellington & Cotford St Luke.
Through the Farmers’ Markets we were contacted by a number of local Farm Shops and in due course other shops to supply them. We made the decision to stay local and supply shops and businesses in the West Somerset, Exmoor and North Devon areas.
We also attended and sold at numerous shows and food festivals, both local and further afield, such as The Royal Bath & West Show and The Exeter Food Festival.
In 2009 we opened a shop and cafe, The Chocolate House, in Dunster High Street. We ran it for 5 years while at the same time continuing to supply a reduced number of the local shops and stockists. When the lease came up for renewal we decided it was time for a change* and sold the shop business to Wendelin Wilkins. It has continued to operate in a similar way and we still supply chocolates and cakes and it is our primary outlet in the area.
Since the sale of the shop in Dunster we have continued to supply the same shops but have not attempted to build up the wholesale sales as we have decided we wish to sell the business and feel it would be better for the new owners to undertake the sales push once established. Alongside Nutcombe Chocolates we have also been operating our holiday rentals business, Rosanda House Holiday Flats, in Minehead. This has meant we have not been able to give Nutcombe Chocolates our full attention.
We joined the Exmoor Producers Association in 2001 which opened a co-operative shop in Washford Mill, not far from Minehead. At that time we started selling at Farmers Markets, namely Minehead, Taunton, Tiverton, Wellington & Cotford St Luke.
Through the Farmers’ Markets we were contacted by a number of local Farm Shops and in due course other shops to supply them. We made the decision to stay local and supply shops and businesses in the West Somerset, Exmoor and North Devon areas.
We also attended and sold at numerous shows and food festivals, both local and further afield, such as The Royal Bath & West Show and The Exeter Food Festival.
In 2009 we opened a shop and cafe, The Chocolate House, in Dunster High Street. We ran it for 5 years while at the same time continuing to supply a reduced number of the local shops and stockists. When the lease came up for renewal we decided it was time for a change* and sold the shop business to Wendelin Wilkins. It has continued to operate in a similar way and we still supply chocolates and cakes and it is our primary outlet in the area.
Since the sale of the shop in Dunster we have continued to supply the same shops but have not attempted to build up the wholesale sales as we have decided we wish to sell the business and feel it would be better for the new owners to undertake the sales push once established. Alongside Nutcombe Chocolates we have also been operating our holiday rentals business, Rosanda House Holiday Flats, in Minehead. This has meant we have not been able to give Nutcombe Chocolates our full attention.
