Australia’s Darrell Lea faces rocky road ahead

DARRELL LEA has been put up for sale in the hope that Australia’s famous chocolate maker and its 700 workers can be saved. Administrators took control of the 85-year-old, family-run company on Tuesday in an attempt to save it from ruin. The surprise move stunned staff, unions, customers and even Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Voluntary administrator Mark Robinson, of PPB Advisory, has begun work on a major review of Darrell Lea’s accounts to help understand the extent of its financial problems. He said every effort would be made to save the business, famous for its RockLea Road chocolate, and its 700 workers. “At this time it is business as usual and our primary focus is for the employees and store owners that are impacted by this unfortunate event,” Mr Robinson told reporters.

Darrell Lea employees were left dumbstruck and in tears when they learned of the company’s financial meltdown. Staff say they were given no warning that the company was in such financial peril before being informed at a meeting on Tuesday that the firm was up for sale.

“I can’t believe it,” long-time customer Heather told AAP while shopping in one of Darrell Lea’s central Sydney stores.”It’s upsetting because Darrell Lea is an institution.”I like it much better than European chocolate.”Fellow chocolate lover Prime Minister Julia Gillard hopes a buyer for Darrell Lea can be found quickly.”Everybody has probably eaten a lot of their rocky road over the course of their lives. I know I have,” Ms Gillard said.