Our Story

In 1848 the Barratt brand was founded in Shoreditch by Mr George Osborne Barratt.
Later in 1880 Fox's Confectionery was founded by Walter Richard Fox in a Victorian warehouse in Leicester.

1903 saw the Hillard brothers produce their first batch of hard gums in Cleakheaton, making the Lion brand name known. William Henry Tavener began experimenting and making boiled sweets in green glass jars in 1904.

In 1918 Fox's Confectionery launched their world-renowned, clear Glacier Mints.
In 1922 Peppy the Polar Bear was born... Drawn by Clarence Reginald Dalby who illustrated the Thomas the Tank Engine books, Peppy became the new face of the Fox's brand.

The 1920's was a big decade for Barratts, releasing the brand's famous Black Jack & Fruit Salad chews at the start of the decade. This was followed with their Sherbet Fountain launch in 1925.

In 1925 George Payne & Co launched their first chocolate covered Brazil nuts as part of the Just brand.

A few years later in 1927, Poppets launched with their original flavour. 

In 1930 the Ruffles launched, bringing coconut and raspberry fondants to the confectionery market.

In 1935 Barratt followed suit with the release of their now popular sherbet DipDab.

In 1940's Barratt Refreshers were released and our brands continued to flourish with our confectionery in full swing.

From lollipops to Sherbet Fountains, Liquorice Allsorts to boiled sweets, Jelly Babies, Nougat, mints and toffees of all kinds, we filled as many confectionery counters as possible with our family of sweet treats!

In 1980 Barratt Wham bars hit the streets selling over 30 million bars per year at their peak!

Later in 1987 XXX Strong Mints launched, traditionally hard pressed and packing a powerful mint kick.

In 2008 Henry Goode's Curious Confectionery Co launched, producing packets of unashamedly British and superbly soft Eating Liquorice.

From 2015 onwards the Barratt brand continued to grow, introducing new flavours and launching our much loved Softies collection - Soft versions of our favourite Barratt Retro sweets!