OTLEY'S FIRST COFFEE FESTIVAL

The first Otley Coffee Festival was held on 30th April 2022.

350 people visited West Yorkshire’s first Coffee Festival on 30th April 2022, in the superb surroundings of Otley Parish Church. Opened by Sylvia Thompson, the Mayor of Otley, in the presence of Alex Sobel MP and other guests, the event attracted visitors from across Yorkshire and beyond. We were delighted with the festival’s success.

Money will be divided between the four event charities: Farmers’ Voice Radio, which enables farming communities in developing countries to access and share the knowledge they need to succeed; Oxfam, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Otley Charity, Hug on a Tray.

Feedback from visitors, cafes and stand holders alike was overwhelmingly positive:

Casa Espresso Coffee Roasters commented that the festival was “One of the best events we’ve had the pleasure to be part of”, whilst Tony Garwood, of O’Deli café, noticed the festival goers filling the town and was thrilled at how many patrons enjoyed the sunshine at O’Deli.

Cllr Sylvia Thomson, Mayor of Otley, was fulsome in her praise. “I am thrilled by the success of Otley’s first coffee festival. I had a wonderful day myself at the event and hope it will become a staple of the Otley Calendar.”

Simon Raybould, President of the Chamber of Otley Trade found time to be one of the team of volunteers that ensured that the event ran smoothly form start to finish. He too, had a great day and said “To put on this brand-new festival was a significant undertaking and not for the faint-hearted. It required skill and, in the light of the pandemic, persistence. After having been cancelled in 2020, it was wonderful to see the plans finally come to fruition in such a brilliant way.”

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Gallery

Roasters at the Festival were

What is special about Otley Coffee Festival?

Otley has a long tradition of welcoming visitors, especially to the great events we stage every year.

Otley Coffee Culture Festival sits in that tradition and will use venues across the historic town centre to host locals and guests alike for a day focused on the coffee consumer.

We will learn from other coffee festivals, but also intend that our festival will be distinctive: a day long series of events in a range of locations, suitable for both the coffee connoisseur and those just looking for a great day out.

Putting fair trade and the environment at the centre

Within the coffee trade there is great opportunity to do good. The trade is a significant international activity. Responsible coffee businesses can promote fair shares for producers and can support appropriate measures to protect fragile ecosystems. At the Otley festival, we will be working with and showcasing businesses that use their economic muscle to promote good practice.

Celebrating coffee and the local economy

We want to use the festival to promote Otley and Otley businesses. We know, too, that there are great West Yorkshire businesses that ought to be involved. The day will ensure that we do this.