Tastefully done                            (Sitegeist)

Special events company SLS and Nudge PR have developed a sweet format for Liverpool's chocolate lovers. Abigail Parkin 27 March'09


The Liverpool ONE retail and leisure development is to become a chocolate mecca when its Chocolate Fair takes place on Paradise St between 8-11 April. The concept has been developed by Giles Stanford, creative director at SLS and Kate Johns of Nudge.


The festival will feature international brands, specialist chocolate producers and local suppliers. An entertaining show is sure to be provided by headline performer, Willie Harcourt-Cooze of Channel 4’s Willie’s Wonky Chocolate Factory fame who will engage the audience in kitchen and theatre demonstrations. Other participating experts include Thornton’s head chocolatier Keith Hurdman.


“We will position approximately 10 chalets to accommodate the participating chocolatiers and create one dedicated and co-ordinated branded and themed environment with chocolate as its theme," said SLS’s Giles Stanford. “This event was conceived to bring an extra dimension to what is already a leading national retail and leisure destination, attracting more than 500,000 visitors each week. It will be a unique chocolate event, giving visitors the opportunity to taste and buy award-winning chocolate, and featuring musicians, children’s entertainers, plus chocolate fountains and sculptures.”


He added, ”The SLS team is grateful to Liverpool ONE for giving us the opportunity to produce this new event within a fantastic retail and leisure development, and to prove our skills in creating and delivering innovative, cost-effective events and 'look' programmes to enliven city centres.”