Northampton’s Afternoon Tea Revolution: A Decade On

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In the heart of Northampton, a revolution has been brewing. Not one of political upheaval or social unrest, but rather a delightful transformation of the quintessentially British tradition of afternoon tea. The architects of this change? Two enterprising local businesswomen, Amy Whiting and Gemma Colby.

Amy, a Duston native, laid the foundation for this revolution back in 2013 with the establishment of Amy’s Vintage Teas. Initially, Amy’s vision was to hire out her collection of vintage china for weddings and events. However, she soon spotted a gap in the market for delivering the full afternoon tea experience to people’s homes. This innovative concept, a first for Northampton, has been a hit with locals and has grown exponentially since its inception.

Amy’s venture began with intimate tea parties for eight to ten guests. Today, her business caters to large parties, weddings, and corporate events, serving up to 400 people. The growth and success of Amy’s Vintage Teas caught the attention of Gemma Colby, owner of The Copper Kitchen, a local catering company. In 2019, Gemma began supplying cakes and sandwiches for Amy’s afternoon teas, and in 2020, the two businesses merged.

This partnership has proven to be a recipe for success, with the duo expanding their services into the corporate buffet and brunch market. Despite the challenges of running a seven-day operation, Amy and Gemma have thrived, supported by a dedicated team of waiting and kitchen staff.

The pair continue to innovate, adding new items to their flagship menu of vintage afternoon teas, classic buffets, brunches, grazing tables, and antipasti options. They’ve also built strong relationships with local businesses, such as Vulcan Works, for whom they provide brunches and training day catering.

Looking ahead, Amy and Gemma aim to build on their customer base, particularly in the wedding sector. As a newly recommended supplier for afternoon teas at Brampton Grange, the future for these afternoon tea revolutionaries is looking brighter than ever. So, here’s to another decade of delicious innovation in Northampton!