Hotel Chocolat closes its UK stores in response to coronavirus

Angus Thirlwell co-founder/CEO, said it took the decision over the weekend to temporarily close all its UK stores.

Remote support 

“We are geared up to switch fully to online ordering and have added free delivery via hotelchocolat.com. More phone lines and remote customer support is being mobilised to make it easier, particularly for some of our elderly customers and who we know don’t do online, to get what they want delivered to their door,​” he said.

“We hope these measures will ensure Hotel Chocolat can keep serving the community whilst keeping everyone as safe as possible until we’re through this​. 

“Thanks for all the support and messages and let’s adapt and innovate together to get through this.​”  

Thirlwell added the company will continue to closely monitor the situation, and looks will reopen it doors as soon as it is safe and responsible to do so.  

“In the meantime, hotelchocolat.com continues to operate as usual, and we’re offering free delivery on orders of £20 or more to ease the transition​,” he said. 

Social media

“Our mission has always been to make people happy through chocolate. For now, let’s keep in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. We hope we can help to lift your spirits during what we know are trying times for us all.” 

Hotel Chocolat started as an online business in the late 1990s. As a result, all its products have been designed to be delivered through the post without damage, including Easter eggs which are usually fragile.