Chocolate brings success to Start A Business Client

28/10/04

Once again the 16^th Century Franciscan Bonamargy Friary is highlighted by the official launch of Bonamargy Chocolates©, although the chocolates are already widely appreciated and enjoyed by many people across Northern Ireland. Together with the Marine Hotel, Bonamargy Friary has been granted a licence as a venue for marriage ceremonies and at least one wedding has taken place at the Friary. Bonamargy has also provided an ideal backdrop for a pop music video featuring the new artist Tara Blaze.   

Within 200 metres of the Friary, Rosemary Dobbin has her Chocolate Studio where she produces various assortments of hand-made Belgian truffles and chocolates, under the trade name of Bonamargy Chocolates©.   

Rosemary, a trained Home Economist, followed her life time interest in chocolate by taking part in several chocolatier courses both in England and Germany. Rosemary says; “ I never predicted that this hobby would become so fascinating and addictive. I really enjoy designing fillings, new truffles and exclusive collections relevant to the area. The most appropriate to the Friary is my Black Nun© truffle which is a liqueur laced dark marzipan truffle with a small dark chocolate centre, twice rolled in dark chocolate wrapped in black foil.”   

Rosemary began by producing chocolates for family and friends and as she already specialises in chocolate wedding cakes, she introduced chocolates at many of the bridal fayres she attends as wedding favours and found these to be very popular.   

In March of this year she embarked on a Start A Business Programme at Acorn The Business Centre, Ballymoney which led to an application to North Antrim Leader. In this she was successful and has procured lots of valuable capital items which has enabled her to produce larger quantities of chocolates and truffles. North Antrim Leader + (nal+) are a Rural Funding Body covering the District Council areas of Ballymoney, Moyle, Ballymena and Larne. The main areas where Leader+ can help new or existing businesses is by capital or employment grants, training, mentoring and networking support.   

In addition to her set collections, Rosemary also produces seasonal and celebration collections which apply to all occasions, with a wide range of exclusive chocolate items from chocolate shapes to chocolate hampers.

She now supplies selected outlets in Northern Ireland.

For further details contact Rosemary on 028 20763841.   

The Start A Business Programme has been in operation from September 2001 and is delivered throughout Northern Ireland by Enterprise Northern Ireland and Acorn The Business Centre is a delivery agent for Enterprise Northern Ireland. The programme is funded and supported by Invest Northern Ireland, the 26 District Councils and the EU Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme.   

The aim of the Start A Business Programme is to stimulate enterprise by supporting individuals to become entrepreneurs, providing professional advice from the idea stage through to trading and beyond. The programme combines a business advisory service with a training course, business and financial planning support and mentoring support.

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