POPULAR Nestle chocolate Smarties Buttons have been discontinued.
Fans of the sweet treat say they’ve been hunting high and low for them and have been devastated by the axe.
The treat comprised a tasty combination of milk chocolate buttons with crunchy bits in, but maker Nestle said it now wants to focus on its core Smarties products.
The decision is a blow to fans, including one who took to social media last month to ask Nestle where they had gone.
He said: “Have the smarties buttons been discontinued? I love them but can never find them anymore and when I look at the links to purchase them every outlet is showing out of stock. Any idea where I can get some from?”
The product was unveiled in 2020 as a “reimagined” treat for choc-lovers with “special memories” of Smarties.
Since then it has earned rave reviews, including one on the Tesco website which enthused: “Opened up the pack and ended up eating them all on one go. Couldn’t stop!!”
Another added: “A nice way to expand on the Smarties brand for a more chocolatey smarties treat!”
At the time of their launch, Alberto Pisanello, brand manager for Smarties, said: “We know that Smarties hold special memories for so many people, and they are much loved for their bright colours, taste and texture.
“At the same time, consumers tell us they like their favourite brands to keep things fresh with exciting innovations and new varieties to try.”
He added they offered all the fun, colour and crunch of Smarties, enveloped in a smooth milk, white or orange-flavoured chocolate button.
Later a gold version was unveiled.
But this week manufacturer Nestle said: “We are waving goodbye to Smarties Buttons which we know has been a beloved product and we appreciate the support it has received.
“However, we have made the decision to discontinue it as we focus on our main Smarties products.
“Smarties fans may want to keep an eye out for the new Smarties Elf Treats giant tube, which is hitting stores now in time for Christmas.”
Smarties have a fascinatingly long history.
They were originally released in 1882 under the name Chocolate Beans, and were renamed Smarties Chocolate Beans in 1938.
Smarties went out of production in the war but resumed production in January 1946, though plain chocolate often had to be used in place of milk due to shortages.
The treats have remained popular, but are now no longer sold in their iconic cylindrical cardboard tubes, which came with a colourful plastic lid.
The packaging design changed to hexagonal in 2005, to keep the brand “fresh”, and the lid was replaced by a cardboard clip for environmental reasons.
WE all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don't have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…
Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed on flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for supermarket’s own brand bars.
Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.
Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.
Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.
They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.
Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.
So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.
HUGE Noughties indie band The Horrors have revealed that they are reuniting and will bring out their first album in seven years.
The group, originally made up of Faris Badwan, Joshua Hayward, Rhys Webb, Tom Furse and Joe Spurgeon, shot to fame in 2005.
The Horrors’ last album – named V – was released in 2017.
And now fans will be happy to hear that they don’t have long to wait until some new tunes are released.
Their sixth studio album, recorded with Fictions Records, will be released on March 21st next year.
The album is called Night Life.
The group have also released a number of tour dates too.
According to their official website they will be performing for over three weeks in the months of November and December.
They will start in Bedford on November 27th, followed by a show in London on the 28th.
The Horrors will wrap up in Southend-On-Sea on December 14th.
They said of the tour on Instagram earlier this week: “We’ll be playing some special intimate UK shows in November and December.
“Anyone who has pre-ordered via our online store will be automatically entered into the pre-sale, starting Friday the 4th at 10am until Tuesday 6pm BST.
“We look forward to seeing you there.
“There’s no point in looking back.”
The band now consists of Faris Badwan, Joshua Hayward, Rhys Webb, Amelia Kidd and Jordan Cook.
Tom Furse left in 2021, while Joe Spurgeon said goodbye to the group this year.
The Horrors’ other albums include Strange House, Primary Colours, Skying, Luminous and V.
It comes after the band teased a return on Instagram with a cryptic post back in September.
They told their 42.9k followers: “THE HORRORS ARE NEVERENDING, THE HORRORS ARE BACK, THE HORRORS NEVER WENT AWAY.”
They then announced their new song The Silence That Remains on October 2.
The Horrors captioned the post: “The Silence that Remains
02.10.”
Fans went wild, with one writing in the comments section: “I’m ready. Am I ready??? Oh god.”
Another added: “
Here we go.”
A third chimed in: “Loving it already.”
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