A new coffee shop is set to return to perhaps the most appropriately-named places in York this summer, when Barley Hall Coffee Shop opens in Coffee Yard, on the snickleway between Swinegate and Stonegate.
The new café, which will serve drinks and light snacks, replaces The Printer’s Apprentice, which did not reopen following lockdown. As well as the ground floor, customers will be able to enjoy their cappuccino al fresco, with the courtyard in front of Barley Hall becoming a pavement extension of the ground floor coffee shop. The café will be run by The JORVIK Group, and promises a quirky twist to a traditional coffee shop experience.
“York was one of the first places outside of London where coffee shops emerged in Georgian England, so some of this history is reflected in our displays within the coffee shop itself,” comments director of attractions, Sarah Maltby. “Each of the tables inside the coffee shop will feature artefacts from our collection relating to historic coffee culture, and anyone wanting to find out more can access fun videos via their mobile phone to delve deeper into this fascinating part of York’s Georgian coffee house scene.”
Where possible, local produce will be used, with the team currently working with York Emporium on a special coffee blend to suit the theme and surroundings, and bread and cakes coming from York-based suppliers. Regular visitors will be able to take advantage of the coffee shop’s loyalty card, as well as enjoying events in the outside courtyard throughout the year.
Initially, only the ground floor of the coffee shop will be open to customers, but with a full kitchen on the first floor and a basement, the new addition to The JORVIK Group fits perfectly with ongoing development plans.
“Barley Hall is a fantastic venue for events and dining, but we have always had to bring in catering equipment. Having these facilities in the adjoining building will make hosting events at Barley Hall significantly easier and more cost-effective,” adds Sarah. “We are also looking at using different parts of the combined buildings to host regular community events in the heart of the city, as well as providing additional space for education groups visiting Barley Hall. We’ve got some other brilliant ideas in the pipeline, too – watch this space!”
Barley Hall Coffee Shop opens on Saturday 23 July, ready for the flood of visitors that come to York during the school holidays. Over this opening weekend coffee lovers will be entertained with historical music and performances from musicians, Caliban’s Dream and re-enactment troop
Ting Tang. For more information, please visit barleyhall.co.uk
ENDS
Picture shows: Paul Ruxton, manager of Barley Hall and the new Coffee Shop.
For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins
PRO – The JORVIK Group
Tel: 01904 500698
Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk
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