J.S. Fry & Son were a Bristol based confectioner with a history dating back to the late 18th century. During a large portion of the 20th century they were among the top three chocolate manufacturers in the U.K. having been taken over by the Cadbury concern in 1919. Perhaps their best known product was Fry’s Turkish Delight, a top selling confection well into the 1970’s. By the early 1950’s Fry was was the largest employer in Bristol and their chocolate was sold across the globe. This photo was taken at their (then) ultra modern and partially completed factory in Somerdale during 1931 and shows a line-up of six company liveried and locally registered Morris 5 cwt vans. The Bristol factory was closed in 2010 when Cadbury was purchased by the American food giant, Kraft. (Image courtesy Jonathan Barwick)
