Marasu Pty Fours, London’s largest luxury chocolate producer, has officially entered bankruptcy proceedings after more than four decades in operation.
According to British newspaper The Sun, the company was founded in 1987 by chefs Rolf Kern and Gabi Kohler. It was later acquired in 2006 by the Prestat Group.
Over the years, Marasu grew to become the capital’s leading producer of premium chocolate, supplying prominent brands and retailers including Prestat, Selfridges, Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, and Pret A Manger.
The company produced more than 300 tonnes of chocolate annually at its manufacturing facilities in Park Royal, West London.
On February 6, joint administrators were appointed to oversee the bankruptcy process. Alessandro Sidoli and Jessica Parker of Zanadine Financial Recovery were named joint administrators.
Under a pre-pack administration deal, parent company Prestat is set to be sold to L’Artisan du Chocolat, owned by Poulos Capital Management.
Prestat is expected to continue operating as an online-only brand.
The collapse comes amid severe pressures on the global chocolate industry following record-high cocoa prices in 2024.
The surge was driven by crop diseases and extreme weather conditions that hit cocoa-producing regions, particularly Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, which together account for roughly 60 percent of global cocoa production.
Prestat had previously held two royal warrants and was ranked among the world’s top three chocolate shops.
A spokesperson said the newspaper had contacted Prestat for comment on the latest developments.
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