Thomas Armstrong Construction Awarded Friars' £2.8M Penrith Facility

Thomas Armstrong Construction is delighted to announce it has been awarded the contract to construct a new Head Office and Production Facility for Friars, the esteemed local chocolate maker. The £2.8 million scheme will see the creation of a circa 20,000 sq ft bespoke unit on a greenfield site within Penrith's Eden Business Park.

Friars, a beloved fixture in the Cumbrian confectionery scene with chocolate shops in Keswick and Ambleside, is approaching its centenary, having been in business for almost 100 years. This significant investment in a new facility underscores their commitment to meeting the increasing demand for their popular products.

The new high-quality facility will encompass a comprehensive range of amenities crucial for modern chocolate production and distribution. This includes dedicated production and packaging areas, contemporary office spaces, training rooms, welfare facilities, and substantial distribution warehousing.

The construction is anticipated to be completed, and the facility operational, by May 2026. This timely completion will enable Friars to significantly scale up their production capabilities, ensuring they can continue to delight customers with their chocolates for many years to come. The project is expected to bring new opportunities to the local economy and further solidify Penrith's growing business landscape.