Shropshire Star

Toblerone row: Wrangle over Wrekin-inspired chocolate bar is settled

A row over a chocolate bar which was designed to reflect the shape of one of Shropshire's best-known landmarks has been settled.

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In the summer Poundland revealed its new Twin Peaks bar, which takes its shape from the dual tops of The Wrekin and its neighbouring Ercall.

But the bar's similarity in shape and packaging to the Toblerone, made by consumer goods giant Mondelez International, led to a dispute between the companies over its use of the bar.

The Twin Peaks bar

Now the row has been settled with Poundland agreeing to modify the shape of the bar, which features two peaks per segment, before introducing it to shelves.

It will, however, be allowed to sell the 500,000 bars that are already in production, as long as the packaging is "sufficiently different" to the gold-coloured Toblerone's design.

A Poundland spokesman said: "Following positive discussions, we can confirm Poundland and Mondelez have come to an agreement that allows both businesses to put their Twin Peaks dispute behind them.

"Poundland will put 500,000 Twin Peaks chocolate bars – in distinctive packaging – on sale in stores from December.

"In the New Year, Poundland has agreed to re-launch Twin Peaks with a modified shape that still offers customers 180g of British-made chocolate inspired by the Wrekin hills in Shropshire."

The Wrekin is, of course, just one peak which provides a homecoming beacon for Shropshire folk travelling back into the county from further east.

But its proximity to the Ercall, providing two peaks for the price of one, led to Poundland using the hills for its own design of chocolate bar.

The triangular Matterhorn is believed to have provided the shape of the honey and nougat-flecked Toblerone bar.

Poundland, which was launched in the West Midlands by businessman Steve Smith, who now lives near Bridgnorth, will continue to stock the Toblerone alongside its own brand in stores.

A Mondelēz spokesperson said: “Poundland is an important and valued customer of Mondelēz so we are glad that we have reached a solution for their Twin Peaks bar that is clearly different from Toblerone.

"Toblerone is one of the most loved, unique, best value Swiss-made chocolate products in the world. Its high quality, special Swiss recipe and triangular peaks have been delighting people around the world since 1908, and we believe will continue to do so for future generations of chocolate lovers too.”