The former chairman and the grandson of the founder of Thorntons has hit out at outgoing boss Jonathan Hart and urged new owners Ferrero to restore the ailing brand’s place on the high street. Peter Thornton, who left its chairmanship in 1987 after a family bust up and boardroom coup, said the 104-year-old chocolatier needs to re-open its raft of closed stores and make them “tempting to the senses”. Italian chocolatier Ferrero yesterday agreed a deal valuing Thorntons at £111.9 million, a 43% premium on Friday’s share price. Thornton, a longstanding critic of recent management, told the Standard: “They need to target the retail side and bring it back upmarket. It does need serious investment...
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