Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate report rising costs

Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate have published the figures in its latest accounts for the financial year ending October 31 2025.

The business, has five cafe tearooms, including one in York, plus an online business and a craft bakery. It also produces a range of teas, including Yorkshire Tea, as well as coffees.

The annual accounts report group revenue increased 2% from £319.2 million in 2024 to £325.7 million in 2025.

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However, operating profit declined by 5% from £29.2 million to £27.7 million.

Yet, the profit after tax increased 2.5 per cent to £21.3million.

A strategic report described the year as ‘positive’ but said the company had faced rising raw material costs, including record prices for coffee, leading the company to increase its prices.

Customer numbers at cafes fell 3% due to lower footfalls in high streets, it continued.

Bettys cafe in York (Image: Pic supplied)

The report said Yorkshire Tea increased its market share 1.6 per cent to 41.6% of its market, but sales of black tea fell slightly. However, sales of decaffeinated and other teas increased by £4million to 35% of its sector.

Coffee enjoyed an 8.8% growth for coffee bags, giving the company 81.6% of this particular market.

Bettys and Taylors also said that in ‘catering and retail experience’ the business suffered “high growth in employment costs” and it was “adversely affected” by higher National Insurance charges.

The number of staff increased from 1,612 to 1,635 and remuneration of the highest paid director went up from £457,000 to £542,000. The total remuneration for directors increased from 31,423,000 to £1,537,000.

The amount paid in wages and salaries increased from £60,2million to £64,4million. With social security and pensions provisions, the increase was from £69.0million to £75,2million.

Bettys is an iconic North Yorkshire business (Image: Pic supplied)

In the US market sales suffered a £3.4 million reduction to £12.33million primarily due to terms with a certain supply as well as uncertainty caused by tariff changes.

The UK market contributed £304.4 million to the overall £325.7 million turnover.

The year also saw the release of Yorkshire Tea Iced, which is a cold tea made with Yorkshire Gold loose-leaf tea, and Cheesy Rascals, a savoury alternative to Fat Rascals, the annual report added.