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11
Dec
Plaque unveiled to the man who put the tea in Harrogate
The tea and coffee merchant who founded Taylors of Harrogate was commemorated today with the unveiling of a plaque in his honour.
The plaque to Charles E Taylor, which was organised by Harrogate Civic Society, was unveiled at 1 South Park Road, where he lived, by Harrogate mayor, Cllr Chris Aldred.
One of the people present at the short ceremony was Katy Squire of Bettys and Taylors. She said:
We’re delighted to see the plaque finding a home here, where Charles lived.
He died in 1942, but his principle of buying the best tea and blending it to suit the water is one we continue to follow today, helping us fly the flag for Yorkshire, just as he did.
The new plaque.
Born in 1866, Charles Taylor was the son of a master grocer in York and came from that city's Quaker mercantile tradition, which also give rise to businesses such as Terry's and Rowntree's.
Charles recognised that water chemistry influenced taste, so created bespoke blends to match local water. With his brother, Llewellyn, he opened tea kiosks and cafés throughout Yorkshire, including the flagship Café Imperial on Parliament Street, which is now Bettys Tea Room.
In 1896, the firm CE Taylor & Co won a gold medal at the London Grocery Exhibition.
In 1962, the company merged with Bettys tea rooms, creating the parent company Bettys & Taylors. In 1977, Taylors launched the Yorkshire Tea brand, which has since become Britain’s bestselling tea.
The heritage plaque scheme was established in 1975 by Harrogate Society, now Harrogate Civic Society, and Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished in 2023.
Unveiling the plaque, Cllr Aldred said:
These plaques are important, because they connect us with our history – this one more than most.
There are 98 plaques around Harrogate now. I don’t know when the 100th will be unveiled, but I hope I’m around to see it!
South Park Surgery in Harrogate, with its new plaque.
Mr Taylor’s former home at 1 South Park Road is now home to South Park Dental Practice. The practice lead, Dr Sanjay Gautam, told the Stray Ferret:
It’s very nice to have that recognition of Charles Taylor that people can see as they walk by. It adds to the character of the area and to the story of the practice.
It also increases the sense of pride in the town, and lifts it to a higher level. I think people need to feel that sense of civic pride.
The unveiling ceremony was followed by refreshments and pastries – supplied by Bettys and Taylors – at West Park United Reformed Church on Victoria Avenue.
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