The owner of one of Nottingham's most mouth-watering shops has announced that it will close at the end of July after six years. Studio Chocolate, a hidden gem in Cobden Chambers, specialises in delicious handcrafted chocolates and cakes.
Fans will still be able to get their hands on the confectionary but they will have to buy online or at markets. Founder Ellie Wharrad will continue to work from her studio, just around the corner in Thurland Street.
Ellie started the business in 2016, creating beautifully decorated chocolates with flavours including sea salt caramel, lemon meringue and mango, lime and chilli. She branched out to offer brownies and cookies too.
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She announced that it was a new era for Studio Chocolate. In an email to customers, she said: "It's taken me a while to gather the words to announce this, and much, much longer to make one of the hardest decisions of my life.
"On July 29 we will be closing our doors at Cobden Chambers for the final time. Due to the intense changes in costs, the stress to make this work as it is has become too much and what used to be a joy has now turned into anxiety and treading water. So I've made the incredibly hard decision to strip it all back and go back to where I started in order to survive this climate.
"Every emotion has been felt over the last few weeks, sadness, disappointment, relief, anger, happiness, guilt, panic but now excitement is starting to creep in and I can see a really successful future for Studio Chocolate - so to assure you this does not mean the end."
Ellie said she would keep the online store running and be selling at markets. Chocolate classes and bespoke and wholesale orders will continue.
She ended with a heartfelt message thanking staff who have worked at the shop. saying "they have been a HUGE part of what Studio Chocolate is today, and I can't thank them enough for the time, passion and love they have filled it with."
