Iconic British chocolatier Marasu's Petit Fours collapses into administration
Marasu's Petit Fours, one of London's largest luxury chocolate makers, has collapsed into administration. The company, which once supplied major retailers with high-end confectionery, faced mounting financial pressure before its parent firm, Prestat, closed its iconic Piccadilly store in early 2026.
The move marks a sharp decline for a brand that once held a royal warrant and was a staple of British luxury chocolate for decades. Founded in 1987 by patissiers Rolf Kern and Gabi Kohler, Marasu's Petit Fours grew into a key player in the UK's chocolate industry. Operating from its Park Royal production site, the firm produced over 300 tonnes of chocolate annually, supplying leading retailers with handcrafted treats.
In 2006, the business was acquired by Prestat, a historic chocolatier known for its royal connections. But financial troubles mounted, culminating in the appointment of joint administrators Alessandro Sidoli and Jessica Barker of Xeinadin Corporate Recovery Limited on 6 February 2023. The crisis deepened as Prestat's flagship Piccadilly store shut in February 2026, a casualty of insolvency proceedings driven by Marasu's failure and soaring cocoa prices.
A pre-pack administration deal has now transferred Prestat to L'Artisan du Chocolat. Under the new ownership, the brand will operate solely online, ending its long-standing physical retail presence in central London. The collapse of Marasu's Petit Fours and the closure of Prestat's flagship store signal the end of an era for a once-prominent name in British chocolate. The brand's shift to online-only sales follows a pre-pack deal that secures its survival—but without the high-street presence that defined its heritage.
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