There is something quietly powerful about walking into a working factory in North Shields. No filters. No spin. Just people, process and pride. At the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate, behind an unassuming unit door, The Chocolate Smiths are doing exactly that — making things properly, building jobs, and reminding us that industry in this town is very much alive.
Founded in 2014 by chocolatier Steffi Smith, The Chocolate Smiths have grown from a home kitchen start-up into an award-winning chocolate manufacturer, producing all of their products on site in North Shields. What makes this story distinctive isn’t just the chocolate — it’s the way the business has scaled without losing its soul.
From market stall to manufacturing floor
The business began after Steffi was made redundant from her role in the chocolate industry. Rather than stepping away from the craft she loved, she leaned into it — hand-making bars in her kitchen and selling them at markets, including Tynemouth Market, with help from family.
A decade on, the scale has changed — but the ethos hasn’t.
Today, The Chocolate Smiths operate from a purpose-adapted factory unit where chocolate tempering, moulding, filling, decorating and packaging all happen under one roof. The space is efficient, organised and calm — designed for production rather than performance.
Production with purpose
The Chocolate Smiths’ signature Bizarre Bars — stacked, filled and topped with unexpected combinations — might look playful, but they’re built on technical precision. Chocolate is tempered on site, fillings are tested thoroughly, and each stage of production is carefully controlled to ensure consistency.
Alongside their core ranges, the team regularly produce limited-edition collaboration bars, embedding products from other independent food businesses directly into the chocolate. These collaborations strengthen local supply chains and keep value within the regional economy — a conscious decision rather than a marketing exercise.
Walking the production floor, it’s clear the team know what they’re doing. There’s pride in the process — and pride in the place.
“People don’t realise this is all made here”
One of the most striking things during our visit was hearing how visitors react when they realise the scale of what’s happening inside.
“People think it’s just a brand online,”
says Jennifer.
“But when they come here and see the factory, see how much is actually made on site, they’re shocked. It’s all happening in North Shields — and that surprises people.”
While The Chocolate Smiths are first and foremost a working factory, customers already travel from across the UK — and occasionally from overseas — to collect orders and see where their chocolate is made. For many, it becomes an unexpected discovery: a glimpse into skilled production happening quietly in North Shields.
At present, visits remain limited and carefully managed, with the focus firmly on manufacturing. But the interest is telling. As food tourism continues to grow, the business represents genuine potential for the future — a site that could one day evolve into a must-visit destination, showcasing local production, skills, and modern industry.
A working chocolate factory rooted in North Shields, producing award-winning products on site, offers the kind of authentic experience increasingly sought by visitors: not a themed attraction, but real people, real processes, and real pride in place.
It’s a reminder that manufacturing, when done well, can be a destination in itself.
A team-led business
Steffi is quick to credit her team for the company’s success. The Chocolate Smiths employ a growing local workforce, offering skilled roles within production and valuing flexibility and family life — a rarity in many manufacturing environments.
A mother of four herself, Steffi has built the business around people rather than squeezing them into a system. Her husband now works within the factory too, reinforcing the company’s identity as a genuinely family-run enterprise.
That culture is felt across the unit.
Recognition — and responsibility
In 2025, The Chocolate Smiths were named North Tyneside Business of the Year, alongside winning the Green Award at the North Tyneside Business Awards. Judges cited innovation, growth, team culture and environmental responsibility.
Sustainability is embedded into day-to-day operations. Waste reduction, improved packaging choices and conscious sourcing are ongoing priorities, with a dedicated internal role focused on environmental impact. The business is also working towards B-Corp certification, signalling a long-term commitment to balancing profit with social and environmental responsibility.
Looking ahead: growth untapped
Despite its success, there is a strong sense that The Chocolate Smiths is only part-way through its story.
Production capacity is expanding gradually, supported by recent investment in new equipment — including machinery to streamline bar wrapping while protecting quality. There are ambitions to grow further, explore new markets, and expand the physical space as demand continues to rise.
There is untapped potential here — in food tourism, education, export and destination manufacturing. A North Shields chocolate factory might once have seemed unlikely. Now, it feels inevitable.
Pride in place
North Shields has a long history of making things — from ships and rope to food and trade. The Chocolate Smiths belong firmly in that tradition: modern, creative, and values-led, but deeply grounded in skilled production.
As Jennifer puts it:
“It’s nice when people realise this isn’t made somewhere else and shipped in. It’s made here. By us.”
And that might be the most important part of the story.
Here, production still carries pride — in the work, and in the place it comes from.
FACT FILE: THE CHOCOLATE SMITHS
Business: The Chocolate Smiths
Founded: 2014
Founder: Steffi Smith
Location: Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate, North Shields
What they do: Handmade chocolate manufacturing
Known for: Bizarre Bars, collaboration chocolates, Geordie-themed designs
Awards:
• North Tyneside Business of the Year 2025
• North Tyneside Green Award 2025
Ethos:
Local production • Skilled manufacturing • Sustainability-led growth • Proudly North East
Website:
https://thechocolatesmiths.com
Social:
Instagram: @thechocolatesmiths
