Staffordshire Foods

Walkers has come a long way since the business was established at the turn of the Century. Former pottery worker, Edward Joseph Walker, opened a small sweet shop in Longton, in Stoke-on-Trent with his sister, Florence.

Edward made toffee to his own recipes in the shop’s back room, but demand grew so much he ended up opening a small factory in the old King Street area of the town.

In 1915, Edward employed his son Edward Victor, to help with production. Together they manufactured Walkers' Nonsuch toffee, sticking to the original recipe of whole milk and butter, sugar enhanced with molasses and real chocolate.

Nonsuch

The traditional toffee has an historical name. It takes it’s title from Henry VIII's legendary 'Nonsuch' palace, which was heralded for it’s luxury and splendour, because there was 'non-such' like it. 

The Second World War disrupted production because of a lack of ingredients, but after it was over business grew again. So much so Walkers moved to larger factory, but still stayed in Longton. Their base on Calverley Street, is still the home to Walkers toffee today.

Walkers' Nonsuch toffee grew in popularity across Britain, but it was during the fifties the company began to receive enquiries from export buyers, interesting in selling it abroad.

The firm now sells to 35 countries around the world with the Phillipines and South Africa the two latest markets.

Family run business

When Edward Victor Walker passed away in 1962, Ian Walker and his late brother Edward were appointed joint managing directors of the family firm. 

The brothers invested in modern equipment to enable them to produce Walkers' toffee by the ton. 

The Walker family, is now in its fourth generation in the company, with Ian Walker still Managing Director. Ian's daughter Katie is responsible for the UK Sales, daughter Emma looks after Export Sales, Marketing & Design, and nephew Edward is responsible for production.