Thorntons - War Creates Business

War Creates Business

War was declared in September 1939. Suddenly the steel works in Sheffield were busy again. This led to a boost in other regional businesses, including Thorntons, although this was short-lived, offset by other negative factors, chiefly the shortage of raw materials, particularly cane sugar which of course always had to be imported. Confectionery was quickly rationed to a mere two ounces a week. Staffing in the retail shops was reduced as individuals, male and female, left for military service.

The company had opened eight new shops in the year before the start of hostilities making a total of 35 shops in 18 towns. The war put paid to any further expansion for at least ten years. Indeed, some shops were actually lost, either through expired leases or air-raids. There were at least 30 instances of retail premises suffering war damage. The night of the 1 and 2 June 1940 was just such an occasion when three of Thornton’s shops in Manchester were heavily bombed and reduced to rubble. The branch on Mosley Street in the heart of the city was a particular loss as the brothers were extremely proud of this very successful large branch with its five display windows.

Later that year in Sheffield heavy bombing took place on the night of the 12 and 13 December, destroying much of The Moor including the shop where the family had once lived and the shops on London Road. The Thorntons factory on Archer Road was only superficially damaged but gas, electricity and other services were lost for seven weeks. With some remarkable forethought, the brothers had anticipated such a contingency and had recently acquired a small bankrupt factory in Lancashire to transfer production there if necessary.