Patisserie Valerie, the continental-style cafe and cake-shop chain, is to offer traditional English afternoon tea at its branches. This is for a charge of £12.95 per person, or around a half of that charged by most hotels, or a third of the charge at some top London hotels.
The move follows a successful trial in cafes in Soho, Marble Arch and Knightsbridge in London, the Bullring in Birmingham, and York, Nottingham and Cambridge.
Offered is a small selection of three teas, five different finger sandwiches, two different scones with strawberry and raspberry jam and clotted cream and five mini-versions of the favourite cakes sold in the shops. Some shops will offer a glass of prosecco as an extra.
The move could offer event organisers an economical and informal entertaining or meeting alternative.