Family win back rights to century-old toffee recipe

Ella Riley created the chocolate-covered Toffee Rolls in 1907 and the treats became a household name. After her store closed, her grand-daughter Freya Sykes was left with the secret recipe from a faded cookbook.
 
But she was banned from producing it because the family business had been sold in the 1950s and passed through a series of deals before Kraft came to own the rights. Ms Sykes later discovered that the US firm had not renewed intellectual property for the Toffee Rolls - and with legal help she secured the rights.

Now Ella Riley Ltd, based in Yorkshire with branches in Holmfirth and Wakefield, plan to open a new factory and branches elsewhere to cope with demand for the product. Ms Sykes, 37, said: "Kraft had let the ownership slip and I don't think they had any intention of using the recipe again, so we acquired ownership for a modest amount.

"My grandmother handed me down the original hand-written recipe so we are over the moon to be able to bring a little taste of history back to the UK.

"The company directors felt it was an important part of the company's growth plans to be able to secure the property rights for the toffee rolls so they could be produced in the UK once again."

Two historic Rileys toffee tins featured in the latest Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The company is now in talks with local authorities over plans for the proposed factory and new outlets are due to open across Yorkshire.

She added: "We want to develop the factory in the next three to five years and to use solar power, water power and recycled heat from the machines to reduce its carbon footprint. One day perhaps we can give Thornton's a run for their money."

Ella Riley created the recipe in Halifax for the family business. Riley Brothers Ltd was famed for the toffee rolls, which came in several flavours. In 1953, the company was bought by the Guinness Group and then by Callard & Bowser, before being acquired in turn by United Biscuits, McVities and finally Kraft. Ms Sykes, who set up Ella Riley Ltd a year ago, said as well as the famous toffee the shop stocks classic pic and mixes, homemade ice creams and traditional fizzy drinks. 


/Telegraph.co.uk/