Keeping it Cornish

We catch up with Cornish Tea and Cornish Coffee owner, Duncan Bond, to see what this fast-growing brand has got brewing.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Duncan and his team recently invested £1.5 million into a new, state-of-the-art factory, capable of producing over a million tea bags per day. What’s more, all products are now 100% plastic free. But that’s by no means all they’ve been up to! Cornish Tea and Coffee have now put aside the land for the largest tea plantation in Europe! It will be located near their home town of Looe, deep in the Cornish countryside, and with 200 acres at their disposal and a new Tea Visitor Centre planned, it’s set to become a real asset to the business – the latest in a long list of ‘firsts’ since the company’s inception nine years ago.

“…the important thing is keeping the customers happy and consistent quality of products and service.” – Duncan

So where did this all begin? The family behind the business were selling tea to the hotels of Looe back in the early 1900s, and almost a century on, they continue to do so! Indeed, the Cornish Tea and Coffee brand can now be found across the globe, creating jobs and, importantly, keeping profits right here in the Duchy.

As Duncan takes a break from his ever-hectic schedule running the many different aspects of the business, he tells us. “There are many aspects in growing a brand and a business, but the important thing is keeping the customers happy and consistent quality of products and service.” After that, he tells us: “It’s about having fun!”

He introduces us to his uncle, Harvey. “Being involved with Cornish Tea is not what I expected when I retired,” Harvey laughs, “but it’s great fun listening to the latest ideas they have. The best bit is they carry them through and succeed. It’s great for me too, as I can observe and enjoy the ride, without doing the work!”

But it’s not all about tea. Duncan and co. also blend and roast their own coffee – using their very own roaster named Roy, after Duncan’s grandfather. Supplying hotels and all catering facilities with Espresso machinery, training teams in how to make incredible coffee, and backing it all by great customer service – Cornish Tea and Coffee is a brand you can put your faith in. Supplying the most discerning customers the world over, as Duncan puts it: “I am incredibly fortunate to have such a wonderful team. Our new considerable investment in the future will help us to hit our annual turnover of £30 million over the next few years.” In short, this Cornish brand is most definitely one to watch!

Cornish Tea and Cornish Coffee

01503 264476

moreteavicar@cornish-tea.co.uk

www.cornish-tea.co.uk