Marasu's Petit Fours, one of Britain's most celebrated chocolate manufacturers, has formally entered administration following the recent closure of its parent company's flagship Piccadilly shop.
The luxury confectioner confirmed the news on February 17, having officially brought in administrators on February 6.
It will now transition to an online-only operation following a pre-arranged sale agreement.
The company traces its origins to 1987, when patissiers Rolf Kern and Gabi Kohler established the business.
Nearly two decades later, in 2006, the Prestat Group acquired the chocolatier, bringing it under the umbrella of the historic confectionery brand.
Under this ownership, Marasu's Petit Fours grew to become the capital's biggest manufacturer of premium chocolates.
The firm operates from production facilities in Park Royal, where it turns out more than 300 tonnes of chocolate annually.
This substantial output has enabled the company to supply some of Britain's most prestigious retailers, cementing its reputation within the luxury confectionery sector.
Marasu's Petit Fours grew to become the capital's biggest manufacturer of premium chocolates
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The administration marks a significant moment for a business that had become a cornerstone of London's artisan chocolate industry over nearly four decades.
The company's client roster reads like a directory of Britain's finest food halls and retailers.
Selfridges, Harrods, and Fortnum & Mason all stock chocolates produced by Marasu's Petit Fours, placing the brand alongside the most exclusive names in British retail.
Perhaps more surprisingly, the manufacturer also supplies Pret a Manger.
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Marasu's Petit Fours is a supplier of Pret a Manger
| GettyThis diverse customer base has been served from the company's Park Royal manufacturing site in west London.
The facility's annual output exceeding 300 tonnes underscores the scale of operations that positioned Marasu's Petit Fours as a major force in the premium confectionery market.
Such production volumes made the chocolatier an essential supplier to retailers seeking high-quality artisan products at commercial scale.
Under the terms of a pre-pack administration arrangement, Prestat will be acquired by L'Artisan du Chocolat, a chocolatier backed by Polus Capital Management.
This deal was finalised prior to the formal appointment of administrators, allowing for a swift transfer of ownership.
The agreement means Prestat will continue trading, though exclusively through digital channels rather than physical retail premises.
The shift to an online-only model follows the permanent closure of the brand's celebrated Piccadilly shop, which had served customers in central London for generations.
Joint administrators Alessandro Sidoli and Jessica Barker of Xeinadin Corporate Recovery Limited are now overseeing the process.
The Piccadilly shop is credited with giving inspiration to Roald Dahl
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The pre-pack structure enables the business to continue operating while the administration proceeds, preserving the Prestat brand under new ownership.
The chocolate industry has faced significant headwinds, with global cocoa prices reaching unprecedented levels during 2024 after crops suffered from both disease and severe weather conditions.
Ghana and the Ivory Coast, responsible for approximately 60 per cent of worldwide cocoa production, bore the brunt of these agricultural challenges.
Prestat's heritage extends beyond commerce into literary history, with the brand holding a special place in British culture.
The Piccadilly shop is credited with inspiring Roald Dahl, who mentioned Prestat's truffles in his novel My Uncle Oswald.
The celebrated author is also believed to have drawn upon the store when crafting Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.