Beloved lolly manufacturer Smyth’s Confectionery is closing its factory after more than 100 years in business

A beloved lollipop manufacturer is closing its factory doors after more than 100 years in business.

Smyth’s Confectionery, which has a factory in Adelaide, South Australia, will close its doors in June next year.

The company’s owners have accepted an order from the South Australian government to ‘extinguish’ their business and bulldoze their 3,500 square meter factory to make way for a series of highways as part of the North-South Corridor.

Smyth’s Confectionery, which started selling lollipops from a stall in Adelaide’s Central Market in 1910, now produces sweets for distributors and wholesalers across the country.

The hugely popular ‘Christmas Mixture’ bags are sold in major supermarkets including Coles and Woolworths.

The company’s factory and machinery will be acquired by a Sydney confectionery manufacturer

They were a feature of many Australian childhoods and are still sold in large numbers.

“The Christmas mix lollipops were my mum’s favourite, it’s not an Australian Christmas without them,” one fan wrote online.

But lovers of the candy bags better be quick, because there are doubts whether the range will continue next year.

The company’s Christmas Mixture bags are a staple of many Australian childhoods (photo: their Adelaide warehouse)

Company director Peter Smyth, whose great-grandfather founded the company, told Daily Mail Australia there was “a Christmas mix in the air”.

“I don’t know if it will stay that way,” he said.

He added: “I’ve been in the business for 40 years, my dad is still involved – he’s been here 67 years.

‘The government has caused this because we are standing in the way of the new road. But ultimately it was our decision to close the business. Smyth’s will continue, but will go to Sydney.’

A regular customer will take over Smyth’s factories and machinery and will continue production of the lollipops in Sydney.

It’s understood the company’s owners are cutting their Christmas holidays short this year to try to stay as far ahead of demand for shares as possible, making the transition seamless for customers.

The company also makes lollipops for other companies under different brands.

The SA government made a market value offer for their factory site but refused to pay the relocation costs.

Company director Peter Smyth (pictured) said another company will continue the Smyth’s range in Sydney

A confectionery industry source said it understood the company’s decision to accept the offer.

“Production in Australia is not healthy at the moment, there is no margin,” the source said.

‘People like Woolworths and Coles keep you slimmer than skinny.

“They really make it difficult for you to raise the price to where you want to be and they don’t give you any commitment going forward.”