The St Monica Trust has named its new retirement community at the former Somerdale factory in Keynsham, The Chocolate Quarter.

The £60 million pound development is due to open in summer 2017. It will be home to 140 assisted living apartments and a 90-bed care home, as well as office space, retail outlets and leisure facilities.

Glitz, grandeur and glamourH

The St Monica Trust’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Steven Webster said: “We believe that The Chocolate Quarter is a fitting collective name for this thriving part of Keynsham, which will continue to be a destination for the local community.”

“It was important to have a name that represents both the history of the Somerdale factory and the high quality facilities, retirement apartments and office space that we will be providing.”

The logo for The Chocolate Quarter was inspired by the styles of the 1920s and incorporates the building’s iconic roof towers.

An era synonymous with glitz, grandeur and glamour, the 1920s was also the decade in which the St Monica Trust and J.S. Fry & Son’s Somerdale factory were created.

Naming competition

A naming competition for the new retirement community was won by Keynsham resident, Donald Ogg (70).

Mr Ogg has lived in Keynsham all his life and worked at the former Somerdale factory for 47 years before retiring in 2007. His winning contribution was chosen from over one hundred entries and earned him a cheque for £250.

He said: “I was able to get an engineering apprenticeship at the factory when I was sixteen and eventually ended up the manager of the same workshop that I’d done my apprenticeship in.”

“It looks like The Chocolate Quarter is going to be very good for the local area and who knows – after working there for 47 years I might be living there one day.”

Show home opening summer 2016

A St Monica Trust show home and marketing suite is due to open at The Chocolate Quarter in the summer.

St Monica Trust’s Sales Manager, Jill Whittaker added: “Visitors to the Trust’s marketing suite will be able to get a taste of what life will be like at The Chocolate Quarter and purchase a property off-plan, should they wish to do so.”

“They will be able to take a tour of a beautiful fully furnished two-bedroom apartment, which will give potential residents an idea of the exceptional quality of the 136 properties that are available.

“You can even choose soft furnishings for your apartment there and then and have them fitted and ready for when you move in.”

If you would like an invitation to attend the opening of the St Monica Trust’s marketing suite, please register your interest at http://www.stmonicatrust.org.uk/register-us or call 0117 949 4004.