Green and Black’s staying in SE1

The organic chocolate company employs thirty people at its Valentine Place headquarters off Blackfriars Road.

Green & Black's chief executive William Kendall, who is also staying, says: "Britain is embracing dark chocolate for the first time, just as we discovered wine 20 years ago."

The chocolate is derived mainly from cocoa grown by the Mayan Indians in Belize where founder Craig Sams and his wife Josephine Fairley had the idea for the firm when they sampled a chocolate drink whilst on holiday.

Sales have recently soared with Green & Black's bars and Easter eggs being available in supermarkets. Cadbury Schweppes, which has had 5% stake since 2002, paid about £20 million for the company.

Green & Black's was founded in 1991 and moved to Valentine Place in 2000. Craig Sams and his wife will receive about £4 millon for their 20% stake.