10/02/2026
🎉🥳 40th Anniversary!! 🥳🎉
This Saturday (14th February) is not only Valentines Day, but it is also the 40th anniversary of the chocolate shop opening in Barkers Arcade as Bellina, owned by Jim and Paula Rowntree.
These old photos show what the shop originally looked like, and as you may be able to see on one of the photos, the cost of the chocolates were £1.70 per quarter!
There were over 70 different flavoured chocolates on display, with customers choosing between lemon sorbet, fresh cream centres, as well as pralines and soft fruit centres.
The shop has changed ownership twice since 1986, the first time being in approximately 2013 when it was reincarnated as Beau Cocoa, and again 8 years later, in September 2021, when the Bowe family brought the shop.
Beau Cocoa still have a very wide variety of chocolates on display, as well as Only Cannoli's, gluten free, vegan, and 'no added sugar’ selections. Something for everyone.
The Bowe family would like to thank all customers for your support, not only for the past 4 years, but over the past 40 years, and to celebrate, we will be offering 10% off all purchases over £10 on Saturday, as well as having a selection of tasters available.
What's your favourite memory?
