Key Results AT A glance
Mobile Brand Ambassador
bringing the Hotel Chocolat experience directly to customers.
Fully Bespoke Vehicle Design
reflecting the brand’s premium retail aesthetic. Multi-product capability, including ice cream, hot chocolate, coffee and chocolate retail.
Year-Round Revenue Opportunities
with seasonal menu flexibility.
High-Impact Brand Visibility
at major events and on the road.
CLIENT OVERVIEW
Hotel Chocolat is one of the UK’s most recognisable premium chocolate brands, known for its distinctive retail experience and commitment to high-quality cacao.
The brand is built around immersive chocolate experiences, from boutiques and cafés to tastings and seasonal collections.
Looking for new ways to bring the brand to customers beyond its stores, Hotel Chocolat explored the idea of creating a mobile retail experience that could travel to events, high-footfall locations and seasonal destinations.
THE CHALLENGE
Hotel Chocolat wanted more than just a standard ice cream van; the vehicle needed to feel like a true extension of both the brand’s aesthetic and values.
It had to capture the luxury, design-led atmosphere of a Hotel Chocolat store while still functioning as a practical mobile retail unit.
The idea came directly from Angus Thirlwell, founder and CEO of Hotel Chocolat, who was keen to create a mobile presence that would increase brand exposure and bring the chocolate experience directly to customers.
There was also a personal link to the industry. Angus’s father, Edwin Thirlwell, had played a major role in the development of the famous “Mr Whippy” soft-serve vans in the 1960s.
When Angus shared his idea, his father knew exactly who he should speak to: Stuart Whitby of Whitby Morrison.
THE SOLUTION
Working closely with Hotel Chocolat, Whitby Morrison created one of the most bespoke vehicles in the company’s history, referred to as the Hotel Chocolat “Chocmobile.”
The goal was to translate the brand’s premium retail identity into a fully mobile format, that is not only flexible, but a memorable experience.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
The van’s exterior was completely custom-built to match Hotel Chocolat’s distinctive look.
The result was a vehicle that instantly communicates the Hotel Chocolat brand, bold but sophisticated, wherever it appears.
INTERIOR DESIGN
The vehicle’s interior was designed as a versatile retail space for various products and seasons.
Balancing the needs of a premium retail environment alongside the practicalities of a vehicle required careful engineering and design.
A Carpigiani soft-serve ice cream machine.
A bespoke upright-glass-door fridge designed to store and display chocolate at the perfect temperature.
Specialised display areas for Hotel Chocolat products.
SEASONAL FLEXIBILITY
One of the biggest advantages of the ‘Chocmobile’ is its ability to adapt throughout the year.
During the summer months, it can serve ice cream and chilled treats, while in colder seasons, the focus shifts to Hotel Chocolat’s signature hot chocolate and warm drinks.
This flexibility allows the vehicle to generate revenue across different events and seasons whilst promoting a wide range of products.
A great example was six-month residency at Winter Wonderland in London, where the ‘Chocmobile’ helped warm visitors with rich hot chocolate while continuing to showcase the brand to thousands of guests.
Even when travelling between locations, the van acts as mobile advertising, bringing the Hotel Chocolat brand directly to new audiences up and down the country.
