Chokolit firm spells success

A chocolate factory owned by a teenage Willy Wonka from Kinver will be officially opened at a special ceremony, bringing to a close a successful year for the youngster.

It is the latest step for 16-year-old Louis Barnett, who started out a year ago making chocolates in the garage of his parents' home in Enville Road, Kinver. Staffordshire MP Patrick Cormack will cut the ribbon tomorrow.

The Chokolit factory, in Faraday Drive, Bridgnorth, first opened in September, with Louis, his parents and the 15 staff employed at the site working around the clock to get products on the shelves in time for Christmas.

Both Sainsbury's and Waitrose agreed to stock the chocolates over the festive season.

Waitrose bosses say Christmas shoppers have shown a lot of interest in the chocolates.

But it is not only stores in the UK which are interested in stocking the chocolates – companies in Russia, Sweden and India are also expressing an interest in the products.

Louis's chocolates are unique as they come packaged in an edible box.

His dad Phil, who is among the staff at the factory, said now that the Christmas production rush was over, they could look at officially opening the new factory.

"Things have been so busy for Louis, we have not had the chance to have an official opening ceremony for the factory yet," he said.

"However, this is something we are now going to do and have invited Mr Cormack to come and do the honours.

"We are all really looking forward to it."

Louis will also throw open the doors to the factory for members of the public to have a look for themselves on Saturday.

It will be open between 10.30am and 5pm.

Louis left school at 11 for home tutoring after being diagnosed with dyslexia and has since concentrated on gaining qualifications in chocolate making.

The name of his firm is how Louis used to spell chocolate because of his dyslexia.