Hampstead Tea
Everything may stop for tea in some companies, but for a new arrival in Milton Keynes tea equals work – and plenty of it.
The Hampstead Tea Company has taken a 10 year lease on two units at Torc:MK in Kingston and aims to produce 30 million tea bags there every year.
Managing Director Kiran Tawadey, who created the company in 1996 says its part of an expansion and streamlining plan. “Everything we produce is very high quality, organic and Fair Traded. Milton Keynes is an ideal distribution centre for us and we were lucky to find such ideal premises with the help of Douglas Duff. Once we have made some alterations including creating a tea tasting room and suitable storage, production will begin,” she says. With a total of 9,500 square feet in a building with high quality exterior and interior finishes, the Hampstead Tea Company should be an exciting addition to the local business scene.
Tawadey is looking to recruit about six people bringing the workforce to nine. At the moment the company has operations in Hampstead, where she lives, and Gloucester. Tea is imported from a single estate in Darjeeling, and the Hampstead Tea Company’s exclusive blends are created for them by specialist blenders in Bury St Edmunds.
Tawadey explains that the Makaibari tea estate in India's Darjeeling province is the world's first certified biodynamic estate and the last owner-managed estate in the district. Here, 66 per cent of the acreage is undisturbed rainforest where tea grows in harmony with the area's natural ecological system. “All our black green and white teas are made especially at Makaibari for our discerning customers who appreciate the special taste and quality of our teas. Our herbal teas also come from biodynamic growers and are renowned for their clear jewel like liquors and unique health giving properties.”
She set up the company after meeting Makaibari’s owner and becoming convinced that there would be an international market for these teas. “The organic movement was still fairly small but the next year we won the Organic Food Award and that created a lot of interest. The company has grown from there,” she says.
Hampstead Tea Company’s products are sold in upscale stores such as Selfridges but most are exported, with Germany a major market. “Milton Keynes also has excellent links to our export markets so that was another factor in our decision,” says Tawadey.
Jonathan Whittle of Douglas Duff commented: “In the search region, from the M25 junction 6 along the M1 through Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire, once again it was Milton Keynes that had the availability of new, high spec premises.”
For more information visit www.hampsteadtea.com or for help with commercial property matters call Jonathan Whittle on 01908 679900.
