Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Premium Tea, Coffee & Chocolate Specialists in Chesterfield
Established in 1926, Northern Tea Merchants has grown from a small family-run enterprise to a multi award-winning UK-based Food & Drink Producer. Our expertise lies in sourcing, producing, and retailing premium teas, coffees, and chocolates, with a commitment to quality that spans generations. We personally source our international teas by visiting plantations worldwide, ensuring exceptional standards through direct engagement with smallholders' cooperatives. As third-generation tea merchants, we combine heritage with innovation, operating state-of-the-art facilities for contract packing teas, coffees, and cocoa for over 300 businesses. Our Chesterfield-based team brings decades of collective experience, maintaining rigorous quality control while adapting to modern consumer needs.We pride ourselves on sustainability, holding certifications such as Soil Association licensing and Fairtrade options for select products. With a global perspective and local roots, we serve diverse markets including supermarkets, independent retailers, and hospitality businesses. Our Pomegranate Cafe offers customers an immersive experience in tea appreciation, complementing our wholesale and retail operations. Recognised through accolades like the Great Taste Award, we continue evolving while staying true to our founding principles of quality and customer satisfaction. This enduring legacy positions us as trusted specialists in the tea and coffee industry.
Services
Tea Contract Packing
Coffee Roasting
Chocolate Production
Retail Sales
Wholesale Supply
Details
- Year established: 1926
Highlights and features
- We have over 95 years of experience in sourcing and producing premium teas and coffees.
- Our family heritage ensures deep industry knowledge and commitment to quality.
- We personally source from smallholder cooperatives across 7 global tea-growing regions.
- Our Chesterfield facility enables contract packing for 300+ businesses with strict quality control.
- Recognised by the Great Taste Awards for exceptional product standards.
Associations and certifications
- Soil Association
- Great Taste Award Winner
What people say
Exceptional quality
Knowledgeable staff
Heritage expertise
Award-winning blends
Ethical sourcing
Services
Tea Contract Packing
We specialise in contract packing premium teas for retailers and businesses nationwide. Our Chesterfield facility handles loose leaf, tea bags, and specialty blends with strict quality control. With over 95 years of heritage, we combine traditional expertise with modern production techniques to deliver consistent, high-quality products that meet exact specifications.
Coffee Roasting
Our in-house coffee roasting facility creates bespoke blends for cafes, restaurants, and retailers. We source beans globally and offer dark, medium, and light roasts tailored to client preferences. Using advanced equipment and traditional methods, we ensure optimal flavour profiles while maintaining rigorous quality standards for both wholesale and retail customers.
Global Tea Sourcing
We personally source teas from smallholder cooperatives across seven countries including India, Kenya, and Vietnam. This direct approach ensures quality control and ethical practices throughout the supply chain. Our expertise in tea grading and tasting guarantees premium products that reflect regional characteristics while supporting sustainable farming communities.
Retail Sales
Our Chesterfield retail shop offers customers access to over 100 premium teas, specialty coffees, and fine chocolates. The Pomegranate Cafe provides tasting experiences and expert guidance on brewing techniques. We also offer eGift vouchers and subscription services for regular deliveries of favourite blends to UK customers.
Wholesale Supply
We supply premium teas, coffees, and cocoa products to supermarkets, independent retailers, and hospitality businesses nationwide. Our wholesale operations serve over 3,000 commercial clients including Sainsbury's, Waitrose, and Harrods. With flexible order sizes and reliable logistics, we support businesses of all scales while maintaining consistent product quality.
People
David Pogson
Founder and Managing Director
David Pogson established Northern Tea Merchants in 1959 after learning the trade from his father Albert. With over 60 years in the industry, he pioneered direct tea sourcing from global plantations and expanded the business into contract packing. His leadership established the company's reputation for quality and innovation.
James Pogson
Executive Director
James joined the business in 1988 and has expanded its international reach through extensive travels to tea and coffee producers. He represents the third generation of the Pogson family, serving on industry boards and judging international tea competitions. His expertise in product development has driven modern innovations while maintaining traditional quality standards.
Questions
Do you offer international shipping for retail orders?
Currently we only ship within the UK. However, our wholesale division supplies international businesses through established distribution networks.
Can I visit your Chesterfield facility for product tastings?
Our Pomegranate Cafe offers public tasting experiences. Commercial clients can arrange factory tours by contacting our Chesterfield office directly.
Are your tea products certified organic?
While we hold Soil Association licensing for contract packing work, our retail products aren't specifically marketed as organic. We do offer Fairtrade options for selected product categories.
How does your subscription service work?
Choose 'Subscribe Now' when ordering to receive regular deliveries of your favourite products. You control frequency and duration, with free UK delivery on orders over £50. Cancel anytime through your account.
What payment methods do you accept?
Online payments accept major credit/debit cards. Business customers can arrange account payments through our sales team. We also accept cheques for special orders.
Do you provide corporate gifting solutions?
Yes, our giftware department creates custom hampers and branded products. Minimum order quantities apply for corporate orders. Contact our team for bespoke solutions.
Reviews (6)
Yvonne Frost
Oct 21, 2021
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For so long we have wanted to visit yet never had the opportunity. Well the wait was worth it. Such a lovely experience. Set in beautiful surroundings we had a pot of tea and a lovely breakfast. Customer service is outstanding. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and cant wait to go back. Please visit if you want something special.
Sophie Thompson
Sep 27, 2021
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What a lovely little cafe. The scrambled eggs on toast were amazing and the cake was to die for. Lovely friendly staff too. We will definitely be coming again. Xx
Kay Howarth-Cottam
Sep 25, 2021
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Wow what a fantastic afternoon tea Would recommend a trip to enjoy a great treat
Just enough of the sandwiches followed by delicious cakes and scones with jam and cream
Choices of drinks to go with
Will be returning very soon
Just enough of the sandwiches followed by delicious cakes and scones with jam and cream
Choices of drinks to go with
Will be returning very soon
Mel
Sep 06, 2021
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First time at this quirky tea and coffee shop /cafe today. It was lovely, great service, gorgeous cakes, proper homemade cakes, absolutely delicious. Ioved looking around at all the beautiful displays of tea cups and saucers, well worth a visit.
Andy Murphy
Aug 18, 2021
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Coffee is nice but communication between the back office and front of house is terrible. This has meant that every time we go to collect 8kg of coffee there is an issue, ranging from "the coffee is in the back and they are on lunch" to "the coffee is not there even though you rang and confirmed that it was ready whilst you were in the hour long traffic jam to get here". I can't use them again for bulk coffee orders as it has happened far too often. I'm trying other suppliers.
Michael James
Aug 09, 2021
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A lovely selection of sandwiches and cakes, brilliant service from the lovely ladies at the cafe! My girlfriends first proper afternoon tea in the UK and she loved it. 100% recommend to anyone visiting Chesterfield
