Launch of new indie cafe in Harrogate

With the help of grandmother Barbara, Sue Warburton and daughter Lizzie, The Kitchen opened on Otley Road today, Monday, November 7.

It’s the first time the spot has been utilised since previous occupiers, the popular L H Fine Foods closed a year-and-a-half ago.

Lizzie Warburton, who qualified as a baker at Leeds City College, will be behind the scenes creating lunches, while her mum Sue will run the front-of-house operation.

As well as the pair working in the coffee shop day-to-day, Sue’s own mum Barbara will be providing home-made jams and preserves, and the team will also offer outside catering.

Sue said: “I’ve always been interested in cooking and baking, and Lizzie has definitely followed in my footsteps.

“We have both worked in local food businesses in the past and offered catering services and cakes for special events together for several years.

“It’s exciting to be moving into our own premises for the first time and we’re looking forward to meeting lots of new customers.”

Sue, who previously worked for a bank, lives with husband Rick and daughter Lizzie in the Oatlands area of Harrogate.

She is a member of Spa Sweethearts WI and regularly produces impressive buffets and cakes for their events.

The Kitchen will operate as a coffee shop first and foremost, but will also offer outside catering for corporate and private events.

In addition, people working in nearby businesses will also be able to pick up sandwiches and coffee to take out during their lunch breaks.

Sue said: “We’ll be using the best ingredients from local suppliers to make all the items on our menu tasty.

“We’ll also have coffee from North Star in Leeds, charcuterie meats from Lishman’s of Ilkley, and Jo Banks from Harrogate Garden and Flower School is providing the flowers for the shop.

“All our lunches and cakes will be home-made by us, and we will be offering a warm family welcome.”

Former Harrogate Grammar School student Lizzie said she was looking forward to opening the doors to the family business.

“We’ve put a lot of work in to refurbishing and decorating the premises, to freshen it up and make it ours,” she said.

“A lot of people say they could never work with their family, but for us it has always been a dream to run a coffee shop together.

“We definitely have the same vision for how we want it to work and I can’t wait to share that with our new customers.”