The Bettys Story
The story of our family business begins with a young orphan from Switzerland who travelled to England to make his name.
Where Switzerland Meets Yorkshire
After losing his parents at an early age, Frederick Belmont spent his teens in apprenticeships for all manner of bakers and confectioners across Europe. By the time he arrived in England his head was filled with knowledge of their craft – and dreams of his future.
In London, Frederick discovered he had lost the address he was travelling to. All he could remember was that the town sounded like ‘Bratwurst’. Through sheer luck he found himself on a train to Bradford.
His continental expertise meant he was highly sought after in Yorkshire and he quickly developed a reputation as a specialist. In 1919 he opened what he called “a first class confiserie and café” in Harrogate. The very first Bettys.
“The Quiet Harmony of Perfect Taste”
Nothing but the best was good enough for Frederick. He made sure Bettys was “exquisitely fitted out” to create “surroundings with the quiet harmony of perfect taste”.
As the spa town of Harrogate attracted a more discriminating customer, a business with such high standards was very well received indeed.
A Family Affair
The years passed, and the business was handed down the family, who still run Bettys today. In the early sixties we bought Taylors, a family-run tea and coffee merchant, also based in Harrogate. It proved to be a winning combination.
With six Bettys Café Tea Rooms across Yorkshire, our own Cookery School and a home delivery service, the business has certainly grown. But we remain true to Frederick’s founding principles.
We’re devoted to doing things beautifully, from the cakes, breads and fancies made fresh each day at our Craft Bakery, to the way we look after our customers. And this is matched by the respectful manner in which we deal with the people who grow our speciality teas and gourmet coffees.