Anglesey chocolatier expands with new factory backed by £264,000 investment

Daniel Bevan - Senior Journalist

One of Wales’ most imaginative food entrepreneurs, Richard Holt, is scaling up his artisan chocolate business Mr Holt’s with the opening of a new factory in Llangefni, supported by a combined investment of £264,000.

A £150,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales and £114,000 in co-investment from Bathgate Business Finance, including £84,000 from Bathgate Capital and a further £30,000 from a specialist lender, is enabling Mr Holt’s to ramp up production to meet growing demand.

A former pastry chef and star of S4C’s ‘Yr Academi Felys’ (The Sweet Academy), Richard Holt operates his flagship chocolate café and production site at Melin Llynon. His Siocled range of Welsh chocolates and famously creative Anglesey-branded donuts—dubbed “monuts”—have become a regional staple, with demand spreading across the UK.

The new factory provides significantly more floorspace and state-of-the-art equipment to boost production. The investment follows an earlier £30,000 loan in 2019 from the Development Bank that helped launch the initial chocolate venture.

Richard Holt said: “This expansion is about keeping up with demand while staying true to our roots on Anglesey. The new facility in Llangefni means we can produce more chocolate, maintain local employment, and keep sharing a little piece of Welsh indulgence with the world. We’re very grateful to the Development Bank and Bathgate for making it happen.”

Andrea Richardson, Senior Portfolio Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said: “Mr Holt’s is a standout Welsh brand with a loyal and growing customer base. It’s been a pleasure supporting Richard again as he takes his unique products to the next level.”

Tracey Hamilton, Business Development Manager at Bathgate Business Finance, added: “Richard and his team have built something truly special—delicious, imaginative products and a business that’s also a visitor attraction. The new factory not only boosts production but enhances the local economy. We’re thrilled to be part of their growth story.”

The Development Bank’s investment comes from the Wales Flexible Investment Fund, which supports Welsh businesses with finance between £25,000 and £10 million. Bathgate Business Finance contributed through Bathgate Capital, which recently hit £5 million in capital lending, marking a historic milestone for the Merseyside-based firm.