‘Inferior’ Chinese imports threatening Blackpool rock, makers say

Sticks of Blackpool rock have been a sweet treat for visitors to the seaside resort for more than a century, since appearing in the late Victorian period.

Its origins remain unclear, but most makers believe it evolved from the popular fairground rock of the time, which was a similar shape and size, but lacked the colours and writing of today’s offerings.

The town’s manufacturers now make thousands of sticks every day, but in their letter to local MPs Scott Benton, Paul Maynard, Ben Wallace and Mark Menzies, they said the “rise of cheap Chinese imported imitations” was posing a “grave and immediate challenge to our industry”.

They said eight factories had closed in recent years and the remaining nine would have “no option” but to follow suit if things did not change.