Laura Ashley opens its first tea room in Solihull

Laura Ashley fans can now enjoy afternoon tea in superb style.

The renowned British design brand has launched its first ever UK tea room in Solihull.

The Laura Ashley Tea Room is at The Regency Hotel on Stratford Road in Shirley, ensuring that people can enjoy the great British tradition of afternoon tea with a traditional British brand.

A Laura Ashley spokeswoman said: “This will be the first ever Laura Ashley Tea Room and will be rolled out to distinguished UK high streets next year, locations to be confirmed.”

The Tea Room is decorated in the signature Laura Ashley style and diners can expect all the English afternoon tea classics.

The menu consists of sandwiches filled with smoked salmon and dill, free-range egg mayonnaise, ham and mustard, cucumber and cream cheese as well as a chicken liver parfait and shallot sandwich served on brioche.

The afternoon tea also includes freshly baked fruit and plain scones and a selection of homemade cakes and pastries. Diners have a selection of teas to choose from and can also pick prosecco or Champagne for an extra cost.

The retailer, founded by Welsh-born fashion designer Laura Ashley in the late Fifties, has been a British high-street staple for 60 years.

The womenswear and home furnishing brand branched out into hospitality when it opened the first Laura Ashley Hotel in 2013. The Manor hotel in Elstree, Hertfordshire was swiftly followed by the second Laura Ashley Hotel The Belsfield which opened in the Lake District a year later. Both hotels are furnished entirely in the brand’s interior collection.

“Laura Ashley decided to open The Tea Room after being inspired by the success of the afternoon teas at the Laura Ashley hotels. We will endeavour to create a unique and memorable experience for our customers,” added the spokeswoman.

The genteel English experience of afternoon tea has grown in popularity in recent years. The Edgbaston in Highfield Road and The Edwardian Tea Rooms at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery are among some of the local favourite places for tea.

Afternoon tea is served daily at The Laura Ashley Tea Room from midday until 6pm. Prices start from £20 per person.