Hotel Chocolat: Popular chocolatier confirms new store in Ilkley as part of Yorkshire expansion

The chocolatier’s owners told The Yorkshire Post back in 2020 that they were examining ‘picturesque and thriving’ locations for a planned post-Covid expansion of their shop and cafe outlets.

Ilkley was one of the places under consideration, along with Whitby, Scarborough and Skipton – with the four towns all classed as ‘prime targets’.

Now chartered surveyors Brackenridge Hanson Tate have confirmed that they had assisted in the leasing of the former Cooplands bakery unit on Brook Street to Hotel Chocolat.

The firm said: “On behalf of a private client we’re delighted to have completed the letting of Unit 4 Station Plaza, Ilkley to Hotel Chocolat having successfully agreed a lease surrender with Cooplands, the previous tenant.

“The letting adds yet another prestigious name to the tenant roster at Station Plaza which already includes M&S Simply Food, Pizza Express, The Post Office, Caffe Nero, and Mountain Warehouse."

The nearest Hotel Chocolat branches to Ilkley are currently in Harrogate and Leeds.

Recruitment adverts for staff at the new store suggest its planned opening date is August.