Our history

1912

The UK beet sugar industry as we know it began in the early 1900s and the first factory, built in 1912, was our very own Cantley factory in Norfolk. That first harvest and factory ‘campaign’ began a remarkable partnership between agriculture and industry that continues to thrive.

1920s

During the 1920s, a further 17 factories were built and, until the 1930s, the crop was processed by 13 autonomous companies, including Cupar in Scotland. Sugar making since the early days had the atmosphere of a family business, with fathers and sons working side by side in the factories. This still remains the case today.

1930s

In 1936, the factories were amalgamated by the Sugar Industry (Reorganisation) Act to form one organisation – the British Sugar Corporation – to manage the entire domestic crop; a development which marked a significant step in the progress of the UK beet sugar industry. 

THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE (WI) USED TO USE THE SUGAR MADE AT THE FACTORIES DURING WW2 TO MAKE THEIR JAMS AND PRESERVATIVES AS PART OF THE WAR EFFORT

1950s

After the Second World War there was a change in government and the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament in October 1950 declared the intention to transfer the shares in the British Sugar Corporation to public ownership. Although nationalisation never happened due to a lack of parliamentary time many people mistakenly believed that it had taken place. The industry, at that time, was controlled by the government but, it was never wholly owned by them.

1972

In 1972, ‘Silver Spoon’ was launched as the retail brand name of British Sugar, selling granulated, caster, cubed and icing sugar, which you can still see on your local supermarket shelf today.

1980s

The Government remained a shareholder in the industry until 1981 when it sold its share. In 1982 the word ‘Corporation’ was taken from the company name and the British Sugar Corporation became a Public Limited Company, trading as British Sugar. 

1990s

Following financial difficulties in the early nineties Berisford was forced to put British Sugar up for sale. Associated British Foods (ABF) bought the company in 1991 and is still the parent company today.

IN 1995 THE DERELICT SUGAR FACTORY IN PETERBOROUGH WAS USED IN THE JAMES BOND MOVIE – GOLDENEYE, STARRING PIERCE BROSNAN

2012

In 2012 the industry celebrated 100 years of processing homegrown sugar and we continue to be proud to be part of this great British success story.

Today

We now have four factories producing the same and sometimes more sugar than when we operated 18 factories. 

On 1st October 2017 British Sugar entered a new era; as for the first time since 1968 the business is no longer restricted by EU quotas. 

This change gives the British beet sugar industry an opportunity to grow.