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Lancaster · United Kingdom

Atkinsons Coffee Roasters

Since 1837 · Thomas Atkinson

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Overview

Atkinsons opened in 1837 as the Grasshopper Tea Warehouse — one of five tea merchants in the Georgian port of Lancaster — when Thomas Atkinson started importing tea and spices and roasting coffee for the dock trade. Sue and Ian Steel took over from owner Mr Thornton in 2005 with no succession plan in place, and grew it from three staff to 42 across four locations. The specialty operation runs on a Loring Smartroast (which uses approximately 80% less energy than conventional drum roasters) alongside vintage Whitmees and a 1919 Uno 7lb that Lancaster University's 3D printing department helped restore. The company sources via long-term producer relationships and forward contracts at premium prices.

Known for

  • Founded 1837 — one of the UK's oldest coffee businesses
  • Original Grasshopper Tea Warehouse name still trades from 12 China Street
  • Sue and Ian Steel as current owner-operators since 2005
  • Loring Smartroast plus a restored 1919 Uno 7lb roaster
  • Roastery powered by renewable energy with living roof urban farm and waste-grounds mushroom cultivation

Why it matters

Atkinsons is one of the only UK roasters that has continuously operated since the early Victorian period and successfully shifted from heritage tea-and-coffee merchant to serious third-wave specialty operator. Most heritage British roasters either died, got bought, or stayed stuck in commodity grade — Atkinsons did neither.

Production

head roaster
Caspar Steel
roaster machine
Loring Smartroast S15 Falcon plus vintage Whitmees and 1919 Uno 7lb
roastery location
Lancaster

Café

The Shop (12 China Street), The Music Room (Sun Square), The Hall (Lancaster), Castle Cafe (Lancaster Castle), 1 Eagle Street (Mackie Mayor, Manchester)

Recognitions

  • Best Food & Drink Establishment, North West Family Business Awards
  • On track for first B Corp certification in Lancaster

Sources

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