Can anyone recommend a nice(preferably independent) chocolatier?

[ConfusedandContrary]

I'm looking to buy some special chocolates online for a friend. There's so many though. I don't know where to begin. She's always been a fan of supporting independent and small businesses(as am I) so I don't want to go with Hotel Chocolat for her.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. TIA

Another vote for Oban Chocolates and also Cocoa Black by Ruth Hinks, delicious.

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. It's very helpful. I'll check them all out and I may also treat myself as I've been considering eating less 'junk' and treating myself to some better quality chocolates instead.

Worth giving Love Cocoa a go as well. Set up by James Cadbury (since Cadbury's chocolate is now American shite chocolate)

Sugarsnap, based in Glasgow. Absolutely stunning looking and amazing tasting chocolates. They have pictures on their Facebook page.

@tinytemper66 are you thinking of Rumsey's? It's lovely there:

www.rumseys.co.uk

We visited this place whilst on holiday nearby. Yummy, yummy chocolate and really helpful staff:

www.chocolate-cafe.co.uk

The Chocolate Society, delicious and well designed packaging. Also Lauden chocolates, really pretty and very tasty centres www.laudenchocolate.co.uk

Yet another vote for Chococo in Swanage. I didn't know they delivered, this is dangerous information...

Audreys in Hove is my favourite
www.audreyschocolates.co.uk/mobile/default.aspx

Pierre Marcolini - I was given a box after some voluntary work and can still taste them a decade later.

@rubyslipper yes 😀

www.mirriedancers.co.uk Absolutely amazingly beautiful chocolates made in Shetland and Orkney. They also taste amazing!

Chocolate Tree in Edinburgh, Iain Burnett the Highland Chocolatier or Charlotte Flower are all excellent.

Paul A Young is my favourite

Another vote for Slattery's from me.

The Moniave chocolatiers...in the Borders or Kennedys near Penrith

Cocoa Mountain are lovely but v expensive

The Careless Collection by Masterchef runner up and now Chocolate maker David Crichton. Four different flavour chocolate bars in each pack and two versions - Classic and Vegan . Both tried and they are delicious

I've been to both Paul A Young in London and Slattery in Manchester. Slattery wins hands down.

We used Whitakers to supply chocolate for favours etc for our wedding quite a few years ago. They are pretty good IMHO.

Iain Burnett the Highland Chocolatier - truffles are amazing

This place www.cenucacao.co.uk is incredible, and not like most things you can find. The family that run it are lovely and so knowledgable about the different types of cacao and flavour. Can't recommend them enough, you can't get them online, but they did marbled chocolate nice that were my DDs favourite, and I was also partial to them

Cocoa Amore in Leicester

www.cocoa-amore.co.uk

Amazing chocolate and lovely people 😊

www.hill.st - based on Saffron Walden, pricey but so yum.

Now I want chocolate, damnit!

I had an amazing box from Rococo once.

But now I want to try all these others...

Guilberts of Bristol - they do beautiful old skool floral creams, among other things www.guilbertschocolates.co.uk/

kernow chocolate, lovely chocolate and a small family run factory.