A Cleator Moor based business, which was set up just a year and a half ago, has expanded into high street retail premises in the town.
Y-tea of the Lake District was founded by Thomas Cheung, of Egremont, after he graduated from Northumbria University. The firm specialises in the sale of speciality teas and started life by selling online from his bedroom. The same year, he moved into office premises in Cleator Moor and took a market stall at Keswick Market.
The business has been well received throughout Cumbria and growth has been strong.
Recently, Y-tea opened their first retail shop at Stirling Place (a new business hub, in Cleator Moor) and they have also expanded their offering with more tea choices, teaware and tea related gifts.
In addition, the firm has forged partnerships with other Cumbrian producers and is now selling tea hampers which include fine Cumbrian produce, such as mint cakes and fudge, which are all made and sold in Cumbria.
Other Cumbria based retailers have started stocking Y-tea products and the business has attended more markets than ever before, including the very popular Taste Cumbria, in Cockermouth, Egremont Farmers Market and the Glebe Market in Bowness-On-Windermere. Hotels, restaurants and guest houses too have started showing a strong interest in the range of fine teas.
Tom is delighted with the firms success and said “I have worked in Cleator Moor for a year and a half now and I love the place and the people” he continued “there’s a lot of work going into developing Cleator Moor as a great place to do business and I am pleased that we decided to base our company here”
When asked what makes Y-tea products so popular, Tom replied, “people are looking for products which have health benefits and to suit their lifestyle, we offer teas which don’t only taste great but are good for body and mind too. For example, hibiscus tea has been linked to a number of health benefits such as lower blood pressure and blood fat levels, promote weight loss, and it’s naturally packed with antioxidants.”
“We’re also on a plastic free journey” explains Tom “the material we use for our tea pyramids is made from corn starch so it’s completely biodegradable.”
It’s not just expansion that Y-tea is celebrating, their workshop was recently inspected by the local council and they received a 5-star food hygiene rating.
Looking to the future, Y-tea of the Lake District is looking to open other shops in Cumbria, employ more staff and maybe even get their products onto supermarket shelves so that everyone can enjoy an amazing cuppa from Cumbria!
