Hotel Chocolat, in a departure from its core chocolate business, has partnered with former Lush boss Andrew Gerrie to create its first beauty line.

Gerrie, who left Lush in 2015 after 20 years at the helm and is a non-executive director at Hotel Chocolat, is said to have found inspiration for the new range at the Rabot estate – where the retailer’s cocoa beans are grown. 

The line, comprising 16 skincare items, is now available in Hotel Chocolat stores nationwide and online.  

The luxury chocolate retailer, founded in 2004, said: ”Hotel Chocolat is constantly developing new ways to harness the power of cocoa.”

Its chief executive and co-founder Angus Thirlwell said: “We are thrilled to introduce Rabot 1745; inspired by the wild beauty of our Saint Lucian cacao plantation, with its rich variety of flora and fauna.

“In collaboration with modern day apothecary Andrew Gerrie we have crafted a beauty range like no other, that truly captures the spirited essence of our Rabot estate, first established 1745.”

The firm is not shy to innovation, having started a subscription service this year and launched fledgling operations in Hong Kong.