A new blue plaque has been installed at the Cocoa Works on Haxby Road in York to commemorate the site’s history as one of the most important confectionery factories in Britain. The York Civic Trust unveiled the memorial during a ceremony on 10 April 2026 to recognise the factory’s long-standing contribution to the city’s identity.
The plaque features a distinct blue colour, a nod to the packaging of the KitKat during the Second World War. When milk was rationed, the chocolate was sold in a blue wrapper to signify the change in recipe. The site served as the exclusive producer of the KitKat until the 1970s, and by the early 2000s, the factory was manufacturing more than one billion of the bars each year before production finally closed in 2006.
Beyond its output, the factory was known for pioneering worker welfare. By 1920, the site employed more than 6,000 people and offered amenities such as dining halls, medical facilities, and spaces for education and recreation. This approach was established by the factory’s founder, Joseph Rowntree, who was also well known for building the model village of New Earswick to provide quality housing for his employees.
The ceremony was attended by local officials, including the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Martin Rowley, and the Sheriff of York, Paul Doughty. Also in attendance was 100-year-old Normandy veteran Ken Cooke, who worked at the factory for 49 years. He described the site’s historical facilities as magnificent for the workers.
The building has since been repurposed by Clarion Housing Group through its development arm, Latimer. The £80 million residential project has transformed the former factory into 279 apartments, with 30 per cent of the homes designated as affordable housing, ensuring the landmark continues to serve the community in a new capacity.
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