An iconic British staple: tea. In this edition of our \u2018first offices\u2019 series we\u2019re focussing on the stories behind some of the UK\u2019s oldest tea companies.<\/p>\n
Bettys & Taylors<\/h2>\nThe Harrogate branch of Bettys Cafe Tea Room<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Bettys & Taylors Group is a Yorkshire based family business that started in July 1919, when Frederick Belmont, a Swiss confectioner, arrived in Yorkshire and opened the first Bettys Caf\u00e9 Tea Room. The tea room was renowned for its beautiful interiors and friendly service, and in the 20s and 30s, additional branches were opened across the county.<\/p>\n
Today, the company is now in its 4th generation of shareholders, with over six tea rooms, a bakery, a cooking school and an online store. They also blend Yorkshire Tea, the third best selling tea in the UK.<\/p>\n
Matthew Algie<\/h2>\n
The namesake and founder of the company, Matthew Algie, was born in Greenock, Scotland in 1802, and became a green grocer who sold tea that arrived on the Clyde Clippers. In 1864, he decided to set up his own tea blending and wholesale business, selling to customers and retailers in the Glasgow area.<\/p>\n
In 1950s post-war Glasgow, the demand for coffee began to grow, so the business began to sell coffee as well as vending services. In 1974 they started selling coffee machines to businesses, restaurants and hotels, and in 1983, Algie\u2019s expanded their market to customers across the UK.<\/p>\n
Today, Matthew Algie (the brand) sell to coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, bars and businesses across the UK and Ireland. More than 90% of their coffee is certified Fairtrade.<\/p>\n
Whittard of Chelsea<\/h2>\nA Whittard of Chelsea branch in Leeds<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Whittard of Chelsea was established by Walter Whittard when he opened his first shop in Fleet Street, London, in 1886. He was only 25 years old. Walter started out importing and selling tea, but soon added coffee and cocoa to his offering. In 1890, business was so successful that he moved to 21 Mincing Lane, also known as the \u2018Street of Tea\u2019, as it was the location for the tea auctions of the London Commercial Salerooms.<\/p>\n
Today, Whittard of Chelsea have 60 stores in the UK, an online store, and franchise and wholesale businesses in 30 markets across the world.<\/p>\n
Ringtons<\/h2>\nThe Ringtons Tea Factory in Leeds<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Ringtons was established in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1907 by Samual Smith. He started out selling tea from a horse and carriage to the households of Heaton in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Ringtons began with an investment of just \u00a3250 from Smith\u2019s business partner, William Titterington. Business was so successful that just a year later, Sam required two more horses and four additional assistants! In the early 1920s, the company invested in two motor vehicles to assist with deliveries. However, the last horse, Monty, only retired over forty years later!<\/p>\n
Today, Ringtons have 24 offices across the country, and they sell a wide range of products \u2013 which are still delivered door to door.<\/p>\n
We hope you\u2019ve enjoyed reading this instalment of First Offices \u2013 time for a cup of tea, anyone?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
An iconic British staple: tea. In this edition of our \u2018first offices\u2019 series we\u2019re focussing on the stories behind some of the UK\u2019s oldest tea companies. Bettys & Taylors Bettys & Taylors Group is a Yorkshire based family business that started in July 1919, when Frederick Belmont, a Swiss confectioner, arrived in Yorkshire and opened the first Bettys Caf\u00e9 Tea Room. The tea room was renowned for its beautiful interiors and friendly service, and in the 20s and 30s, additional branches were opened across the county. Today, the company is now in its 4th generation of shareholders, with over six tea rooms, a bakery, a cooking school and an online store. They also blend Yorkshire Tea, the third best selling tea in the UK. Matthew Algie The namesake and founder of the company, Matthew Algie, was born in Greenock, Scotland in 1802, and became a green grocer who sold tea that arrived on the Clyde Clippers. In 1864, he decided to set up his own tea blending and wholesale business, selling to customers and retailers in the Glasgow area. In 1950s post-war Glasgow, the demand for coffee began to grow, so the business began to sell coffee as well as vending services. In 1974 they started selling coffee machines to businesses, restaurants and hotels, and in 1983, Algie\u2019s expanded their market to customers across the UK. Today, Matthew Algie (the brand) sell to coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, bars and businesses across the UK and Ireland. More than 90% of their coffee is certified Fairtrade. Whittard of Chelsea Whittard of Chelsea was established by Walter Whittard when he opened his first shop in Fleet Street, London, in 1886. He was only 25 years old. Walter started out importing and selling tea, but soon added coffee and cocoa to his offering. In 1890, business was so successful that he moved to 21 Mincing Lane, also known as the \u2018Street of Tea\u2019, as it was the location for the tea auctions of the London Commercial Salerooms. Today, Whittard of Chelsea have 60 stores in the UK, an online store, and franchise and wholesale businesses in 30 markets across the world. Ringtons Ringtons was established in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1907 by Samual Smith. He started out selling tea from a horse and carriage to the households of Heaton in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Ringtons began with an investment of just \u00a3250 from Smith\u2019s business partner, William Titterington. Business was so successful that just a year later, Sam required two more horses and four additional assistants! In the early 1920s, the company invested in two motor vehicles to assist with deliveries. However, the last horse, Monty, only retired over forty years later! Today, Ringtons have 24 offices across the country, and they sell a wide range of products \u2013 which are still delivered door to door. We hope you\u2019ve enjoyed reading this instalment of First Offices \u2013 time for a cup of tea, anyone?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8385,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[75],"class_list":["post-1098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-reports-and-research","tag-first-offices"],"yoast_head":"\n
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