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23

Oct 2022

Last Updated: 22/10/2022
Business
Business

Former teacher set to open coffee shop on Harrogate's Leeds Road

by Vicky Carr

| 23 Oct, 2022
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Sally Lumsden is renovating the former florist shop on Harrogate's Leeds Road to create Folk Coffee House. 

folk-coffee-house

A former teacher is set to fulfil a long-standing dream by opening her own coffee shop in Harrogate this month.

Sally Lumsden, who taught in a Leeds school for 19 years, is renovating the former florist shop on Leeds Road to create Folk Coffee House.

A self-confessed coffee snob, she said her interest was sparked when she was travelling in Australia when she was younger and experienced the thriving coffee culture.

She said:

"I got into teaching and loved it, and it ticked lots of boxes when my kids were younger.
"But it wasn't the same after covid. It was horrific. We thought we worked long hours before, but having to do everything remotely and on Zoom was horrible.
"I thought, 'I'm not getting any younger. Other people can do this - why not me?'"


Ms Lumsden has been supported in her plans by Dark Woods Coffee, which has helped transform the space and given her training.

Her baking enthusiast friend will be delivering cakes to be sold in the coffee house and she's using independent bakeries Manna and Baltzersen's to add to her menu.



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However, food and drink won't be the only things on offer: she is also planning to introduce a programme of workshops to build a sense of community around the coffee shop.

"I want it to be a meeting place where it's friendly and the staff know you. You can come and meet up with all ages, all folk. If there's anything you fancy on the programme, you can give it a go.
"I'm not precious about a model for the business. I'm open to what people want and we'll constantly evolve."


The coffee shop will initially be open from Monday to Saturday, in line with many of the other shops along Leeds Road. However, Ms Lumsden said she may open on Sundays in the run-up to Christmas if there is sufficient demand.

Ms Lumsden has already recruited a team of staff who approached her with "impressive initiative" after seeing work taking place at the coffee shop.

Support has also been on offer from nearby businesses and passing residents, who have given a warm welcome to Sally and Folk. She added:

"I've been bowled over with how lovely everyone has been."