Chocolatier William Curley to open a flagship store next year

Curley is looking to raise £80,000 via crowdfund platform Kickstarter to open ‘the ultimate chocolate boutique’. At the time of writing, the campaign had raised just short of £40,000 from more than 160 backers, with 10 days left to go on the crowdfund.

The crowdfund campaign is promising to offer Curley’s ‘finest chocolates, patisserie, cakes, nostalgia and desserts as well as our signature hot chocolate in the heart of London’, with Curley saying that he has already found a location in Soho’s Smiths Court for the new venture.

It is running as a pop up in the weeks leading up to Christmas but Curley says he needs £80,000 in order to turn it into his flagship store.

Curley used to operate chocolate boutiques in Belgravia and Richmond but now only has a concession in luxury London department store Harrods in Knightsbridge. He also operates an online boutique, selling his individual chocolates, bars and slabs.

Investors can pledge for items including a box of signature chocolate truffles, a drink and dessert for two people and a jaffa cake box with bigger ticket options including a chocolate tasting with Curley, a chocolate talk and demonstration, and a chocolate event, hosted by Curley, for around 100 people.

He says the campaign has been deliberately timed for the run up to Christmas so that all the rewards can be delivered as presents in time for Christmas Day.

For more information on the Kickstarter campaign, click here​​