Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris founded Hotel Chocolat in 1993, with a simple goal - to make a better type of chocolate available to UK consumers bored by the mediocrity of that available in supermarkets and on the high street. Originally a web and catalogue business, in 2004 the first of many Hotel Chocolat stores appeared on the UK high street. There are currently 28 stores. Authentic, wholesome ingredients are foundations of the company’s success. A position that is strengthened by its privately owned cocoa plantation, The Rabot Estate in St Lucia, where Hotel Chocolat grows its own fine flavour cocoa. Hotel Chocolat was recently awarded Emerging Retailer of the Year by the influential Retail Week and has been selected as one of the UK’s prestigious Cool Brands.