Thorntons departs the high street, leaving behind childhood memories

The chocolate retailer's closures shows businesses can't make money out of trips down memory lane

For many Britons the Thorntons name conjures up happy childhood memories of sucking on toffee and boxes of continental chocolates presented with a flourish on special occasions.

However, businesses do not make money out of trips down memory lane and this week the retailer said its 61 shops were to close permanently, affecting 600 jobs, blaming the changing dynamics of the high street" and the impact of the coronavirus lockdowns on sales.