Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCI), is seeking to ensure Cadbury “continues to make a positive contribution to our business life.”

Mr Blackett has written to Irene Rosenfeld, chairman and chief executive of Kraft, pointing out that Cadbury is a great British success story.

He said: “It is crucial for Birmingham and the West Midlands that Cadbury continues to make a positive contribution to our business life, including maintaining levels of employment and investment in research and development.

“While it is easy to understand the manifold attractions of purchasing Cadbury PLC with its track record in growth and profits, a takeover that did not add value to the company and, by extension to the West Midlands’ economy, could destabilise its existing operations and current success.

“I would like to ascertain from you what a successful Kraft Food Inc bid for Cadbury PLC would do to make the business even more compelling and competitive as well as understand more clearly your plans for its West Midlands’ operations.

“I am also keen to secure your assurances that you will seek to resolve Kraft Food Inc’s interest in Cadbury PLC as speedily as possible to avoid damaging uncertainty, which is all the more important given the poor global economic outlook.”

The BCI intervention followed a warning by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson earlier this week that Kraft should not try to make a “quick buck” out of the chocolate maker.