Tom Gordon MP launches new Parliamentary Group on Tea and Coffee alongside local and national business leaders

The MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough met with representatives from the British Coffee and Seasoning and Spices association in Westminster last week. They have agreed to launch a new All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Tea and Coffee, with Tom acting as its Chair.

Not only a staple of everyday life for Brits with three quarters of us enjoying a brew each day, the coffee industry represents a whopping £6.1 billion annually.  Yorkshire Tea, which is based in Harrogate represents over 40% of the UK’s everyday black tea market, and £25 million overseas sales. Meanwhile Betty’s sets a national standard for afternoon tea and hospitality. The two, under the umbrella of Bettys and Taylor’s represent a £350 million turnover and employ 1600 people.

Tom said
“With businesses like Bettys and Taylor’s and Yorkshire Tea calling Harrogate home, I am proud to be banging the drum for the tea and coffee sector, and to have bagged the role of Chair!  The APPG is the perfect vehicle to champion the sector. We look forward to an
Inaugural General Meeting or the ‘All Party Tea Party’ where local and national businesses and parliamentarians can come together and hit the ground running in the name of a proper brew. Stick the kettle on!”