Blackpool rock is a British seaside tradition as traditional as donkeys on the beach, arcades and fair-to-middling weather. But it faces an existential danger from inferior Chinese imports that are cheap.
Ten rock makers signed a letter to warn of an “immediate and grave challenge” to their industry that could threaten the lives of employees and the viability of the business.
They say Blackpool rock faces a crisis unlike any other. They want to give it a geographical protection similar to that of stilton or Cornish pasties.
David Thorp, the person who coordinated the correspondence, said: “We’ve never been so united on anything.” “I have met directors from other factories that I had never spoken to before, and we all agree – the situation is having an enormous effect.”
The rock genre is still popular in seaside resorts like Whitby and Weston-super-Mare. Most people don’t realise that Blackpool is the source of almost all rock music.
Thorp, who is one of the few remaining people capable of putting letters on each stick, said: “Today I made Southend rock.” “Yesterday, it was Brighton. Yesterday it was Llandudno. “But it could be Dymchurch, or Skegness.”
Thorp said that the Blackpool rock business had originally planned to ask for support from their local MPs, but they hit a “speed bump”.
Scott Benton was the Tory MP who was resigned after being implicated in a lobbying scam. Mark Menzies is the Fylde MP who quits after allegations of misusing funds.
Thorp said, “I now know why he didn’t reply to my emails.” Ben Wallace (former defence secretary) is standing down from the next election. There is a factory in his constituency.
Thorp stated that all Blackpool factories already had issues with high energy costs and the cost raw materials. However, the new threat is cheap Chinese imports.
He said that it had an enormous impact on our entire turnover. Some factories work three-day weekends and we all had to reduce our staff. If they don’t get any orders in a particular week, some factories have to shut down until they receive an order.
The problem we have is that customers don’t know that the rocks they buy are Chinese imitations.
Thorp stated that rock is a British institution in danger. The letter was signed by 10 Blackpool-based rock manufacturers. 15 years ago, there may have been 30. Next year, it’s almost certain to be eight.
About 30 people are able to do this in the UK. Thorp, whose grandfather founded Stanton & Novelty in 1970, said, “We have three of them.” It is a dying art.
“I know that there are bigger and more important news stories, but they don’t concern us.” “This is the future of factories.”
The letter asks parliamentarians to support a request for the UK Geographical Protected Food Names Scheme. The letter states that “preserving the heritage and traditions of British confectionery is essential not only for our economy, but also to maintain our cultural identity and our pride.”
The seaside rock we know today is a product of the 19th century when “fair rock” was sold at fairs, back in a time when sugar was abundant and cheap.
Putting letters through the rock is said by
In recent years, the recipe has become more and more dizzying. It is made of boiled sugar and glucose with water, and added colors and flavors. The trend of pizza or garlic bread has been replaced by bubblegum and pick ‘n mix.
It is a family tradition to buy seaside rocks. Thorp said that no one who goes to the beach does not bring back a rock.