High time for tea

BRITAIN: When times get tough, the British turn to an old favourite: high tea. Traditional afternoon tea — complete with scones, cakes and sandwiches — has not only survived the credit crunch, but is attracting more young people.

According to the UK Tea Council, tearooms across the country are reporting increased business. “The event of afternoon tea is becoming fashionable again,” says William Gorman, executive chairman of the tea council. “It seems a younger generation is re-understanding the charm and elegance of the traditional English custom,” Gorman told The Guardian.

A younger generation is discovering the charm of a traditional custom.

Donna Lewington of the Highdown Tea Rooms in Worthing, West Sussex, agrees. Lewington says her business is up 30 per cent over 2007. “We are finding that a lot of people are getting fed up with national chains of coffee houses,” she says. “They realize that a pot of tea and a scone the size of a dinner plate is better value for money than a grande latte and pre-packaged food.”

Andy Price of the Print Room tearoom in Bournemouth has seen a 50 per cent increase in business over the last six months. “I think afternoon tea has a retro appeal to younger generations looking for a bit of escapism from their hectic lives,” Price comments.

• Visit the UK Tea Council