George Romney Ltd is a fourth-generation confectionery business that you’ll find located on the edge of the Lake District National Park in the market town of Kendal. Mr Sam. T. Clarke, the great grandfather of the present Managing Director, Mr John Barron, started production of Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake in 1918 after being medically discharged during the First World War. Unable to obtain supplies of Kendal Mint Cake, he sought out and purchased an old recipe and started a confectionery manufacturing business.
For over 100 years, we’ve been manufacturing Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake right here at home in Kendal. Today, the 4th generation of our family leads the creation of the much-loved snack that fuels all of your epic adventures and travels, beginning in the Lake District and continuing across the world. From Mount Everest to Mount Picchu and, Disney’s Epcot Center right back to Kendal, we’re with you every step of the way. Adventure after adventure… generation after generation.
2) Everest 70th Anniversary
At 11.30 am on the 29th May 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Sirdar Tenzing from the British Mount Everest Expedition finally reached the summit and became the first people ever to have conquered the Earth’s highest mountain. With regards to the Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake they had taken with them, a member of the team wrote: “It was easily the most popular item in our high altitude ration packs – our only criticism is that we did not have enough of it”.
Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake has a special place in the history of the first successful Everest expedition. The team that conquered Everest in 1953 relied on Romney’s Mint Cake as a key part of their high altitude ration packs. In fact, Sir Edmund Hillary & Sirdar Tenzing themselves nibbled on Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake at the summit! To celebrate the 70th anniversary of this historic achievement later this year, Romney’s is working on an exciting partnership with a charity close to the business’s heart, which will also include the launch of a new product.
3) Simple Ingredients & Traditional Production Methods
Despite trading for over a century, the ingredients and methods of production of Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake have remained unchanged. Kendal Mint Cake is made using just four simple ingredients: sugar, glucose, water & peppermint flavouring. Romney’s fudge is handmade in small batches, and the Butter Tablet is made to a family recipe inspired by the 1800’s. All of Romney’s confectionery is mixed in traditional copper pans by a skilled production team trained using over 100 years of knowledge and experience.
4) Giving Back to the Local Community
Charitable donations have always been a business aspect that Romney’s prides itself on. From the donation of Kendal Mint Cake bars to the early Antarctic & Everest expeditions to sponsoring a variety of local sport teams in the local area, Romney’s continues to support a large number of great causes. In 2022, Romney’s made its biggest donation to a single fundraising event as the title sponsors of The Struggle Hill Climb, raising over £2000 for the North West Air Ambulance. In the last few years, Romney’s have also provided donations to The Velo Retro Cycle Event, Kendal Poetry Festival, Kendal Town Football Club, Lancaster Water Polo Team & Cycle The Nation. Despite the current economic challenges, Romney’s continues to support great local causes, particularly those with a focus upon sport and adventure.
5) A bright Future
Despite the challenges of the last few years, Romney’s has a bright future ahead. The company is committed to maintaining its traditional methods of production while exploring new product ideas and partnerships that reflects its adventurous spirit.
Designs are currently being drawn up for a new state of the art factory. A crucial focus of our expansion, and plans for the future, is the environment. Romney’s are working hard to ensure that the environmental impact of confectionery production is reduced, with a view to minimise the amount of plastic used within the production process. You can view Romney’s full environmental green pledge here – https://mintcake.co.uk/blogs/news/romneys-environmental-discussion
Finally, we are pleased to announce that Max Barron, the son of 4th generation owner and MD John Barron, began working full time for Romney’s last summer. Max has already begun to gain crucial knowledge that has been passed on through the family from generation to generation. If the past 100 years are anything to go by, the future of Romney’s is in safe hands.
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