History of Demos Ciclitira Ltd

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A fresh approach to dried fruit and natural dried foods

In 1926 Demos Ciclitira decided to start a business for his own account in Monument Street, EC3. He opened the business in co-operation with his cousin, Theodore Ciclitira who, as a packer and exporter, operated three factories in Greece. The company progressed well in the pre-war years. It specialised in Greek currants especially to the ports of London, Bristol and Liverpool, acting as importer selling through a regimented chain. This chain, which the entire industry operated under, involved the passing of goods from importer to broker and then from dealer to wholesaler, with goods finally sold to the manufacturing and retail markets.

Mr Demos Ciclitira

Demos Ciclitira Ltd has imported and exported dried fruit for over one hundred years. Read the history below to see how it all started and how we grew into the successful company we are today The forerunner to Demos Ciclitira Ltd was Messrs Ciclitira and Co, which was originally a packer and exporter of Greek currants run by six brothers, resident in Greece. The brothers opened an office at the turn of the century in Boltoph Lane, London, EC3, and in the 1920s it was run by Mr Demos Ciclitira (born 1883).

Harker

Today Demos Ciclitira Ltd is one of the major UK importers of dried fruit and packers of conventional and organic cereals and pulses.  The offices are situated in London near the Tower of London at Capitol House, Leman Street, E1. The company’s current brands are Demos and Capitol and we represent the world famous Eat Me brand dates in the UK. Demos also continues its close working relationships with premium producers such as, for Turkish figs and sultanas, Clarke Dried Fruit Ltd, for Greek currants, Union Vostizza and, for Turkish sultanas, Taris.

George Harker & Co Ltd Park Drive Industrial Estate Braintree Essex CM7 1AW Tel 01376 321 272 Fax 01376 552 160

               

Demos Ciclitira’s two sons, Dennis and John Ciclitira, formed Demos Ciclitira Ltd on a joint ownership basis and undertook the revival of the company during the late 1950s. They resumed the trade of importation, but on a much wider scale including most dried fruits world-wide. However, the dried fruit trade itself had changed. By the late 1950s goods no longer came in hand-packed bags served up by the family grocer, but in pre-packed packages sold on the shelves of supermarkets.In addition, the food manufacturing industry grew – ready-to-eat cakes were made in factories rather than by housewives at home. The progression of goods through importers, brokers and dealers and so on, became history. The new era saw importer-distributors selling directly to the manufacturers, supermarkets and trade groups.

In 1939 at the outbreak of war, Britain’s imports were restricted. Like most food, dried fruit was rationed and importation controlled by the government Ministry of Food. Rationing did not end until 1954. Sadly, Demos Ciclitira died in 1943, never enjoying the return to free trade.

Demos Ciclitira Head Office - London Capitol House, 60 - 62 Leman Street London E1 8EU TEL 020 7626 1121 FAX 020 7702 0560

WWII rationing poster

Dennis Ciclitira and John Ciclitira