Darrell Lea makes a sweet comeback with Melbourne factory

Confectionary company Darrell Lea is planning to open a “chocolate centre of excellence” in Melbourne’s south-east.

The 91-year-old brand will set up shop at Rowville's Heritage Fine Chocolates, aiming to increase production and add 50 new jobs.

It's the first expansion plan for Darrell Lea since the company shuttered all stores when it went into administration in 2012.

Earlier this year, the company was sold to Quadrant Private Equity for $200 million. Despite the sale it continues to sell its products - including liquorice and rocky road- in supermarkets across the country.

Currently goods are manufactured at the confectioner’s Ingleburn factory in Sydney’s south-west.

It's hoped production in Melbourne will start in February next year, a Darrell Lea spokesperson told 9News.com.au.

At this stage the “centre of excellence” won’t be open to the public, but marketing director Tim Stanford told the Herald Sun, “Never say never.”