Workers at Bendicks are braced for redundancies after it emerged that the chocolate maker’s German owner is planning to relocate production.

Up to 140 jobs could go at the Winchester facility after Storck announced a 30-day “consultation period”.

Storck, which also makes Werther’s Originals, is expected to shift production of the brand’s famous Bittermints to Germany. But it said the sales and marketing functions for Bendicks would remain in the UK.

“Storck UK has recently announced the start of a consultation period to determine the future of its production facility for mint chocolates in Winchester,” a spokesman for the group said.

“No decision have yet been made at this stage.”

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Bendicks makeover aims to double sales (25 April 2009)