In 1911, a commercial traveler for the Don
Confectionery Company, Joseph William Thornton, opened a sweet shop
in Sheffield with his 14-year-old son, Norman. The shop did well
and another was opened in 1913 when they began to make their own
sweets.
Norman was joined by his younger brother in 1921 when J.W.Thornton
Ltd was founded. The company now consisted of four sweet shops and
a fruit shop.
In 1927, the company took on a small factory in Sheffield and
opened three further shops outside Sheffield in 1928. By 1935 there
were 15 shops, about 40 shop assistants and as many other
employees. In 1937 a new factory was built and its capacity was
doubled in size to accommodate the increase in business. By 1939
there were 35 shops in 18 towns in the Midlands and the North of
England.
In the 1950s and 1960s the third generation of Thorntons joined the
firm and the Thorntons family commitment was secured. In 1988 the
company was floated on the stock market. Currently no Thorntons
family members are actively involved with the business.
In conclusion, when Joseph William Thornton opened the first ever
Thorntons shop in Norfolk Street, Sheffield, his aim was simply to
create the finest sweet shop in town. Almost 100 years later,
Thorntons Plc turns over around £200 million with around 380 shops
and over 210 franchises selling the finest confectionery in towns
and cities throughout the United Kingdom.
