A new café is set to open at York station – by the company behind one of Yorkshire’s most loved brands.
Rebel Tea, by Taylors of Harrogate which makes Yorkshire Tea, said it will open a “latte café” on Platform 5 on Tuesday, July 21, and the first 100 customers will receive a free drink.
The café will “give tea lovers something to shout about”, according to Rebel Tea.
A company spokesperson said Rebel Tea aims to “put black tea back in the spotlight” by using barista steamed milk techniques on a base of tea, rather than coffee.
The products are built around Rebel Tea’s ‘tea latte base’ – the tea equivalent of an espresso shot – and range from classic black teas to ‘caramelised biscuit creations’ and iced tea drinks.
“Coffee has enjoyed decades of innovation, from flat whites and seasonal specials to latte art and endless flavour combinations. Tea, on the other hand, has too often been left behind, served as little more than a teabag and hot water,” the Rebel Tea spokesperson said.
Ross Taylor, founder of Rebel Tea, said tea lovers “deserve drinks that feel just as exciting, indulgent and worth paying for”.
"We love coffee culture – the craft, the creativity and the theatre behind every drink," he said. "But we've always wondered – why should coffee have all the fun?”
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The York Station café marks the brand's first permanent location but Ross said the company aims to open branches nationwide.
"Our ambition has always been to see Rebel Tea served in cafés and coffee shops across the UK," he said. "But while we work towards that, we wanted to create a place where York's tea lovers and anyone who's simply tea-curious – can experience what we've been building."
The store is opening in what was previously Potion’s Cauldron which closed in March due to bridge repair works, according to the leisure and hospitality company.
In March, Potion’s Cauldron’s head of operations for York, Natalie Turner, said: “We have loved being part of the York Station offering working with LNER and local partners providing a magical retail experience.
“This will continue however at York Designer Outlet with tasting sessions planned through June and July with partners. We do hope to return to the station post works completion.”
Last month The Press revealed that Potions Caudron Ltd collapsed into administration owing almost £3 million.
The company, known for The Hole In Wand mini golf courses and its range of non-alcoholic drinks, entered administration in April, but practically all of the business was saved through a pre-pack administration sale for £300,000.
