Ethical tea brand Clipper has launched a new nationwide initiative, the Clipper Tea Shop Awards, to champion both the wide variety of tea shops and the great experiences that those in the out-of-home market deliver to customers and has brought in Kirstie Allsopp, self-confessed tea lover and TV personality, as a judge.
Clipper, the Fairtrade and organic tea brand owned by Wessanen UK, is inviting any relevant food service outlet that serves Clipper Teas to submit an entry via a dedicated area on the Clipper website from now until August 11 2017.
There are six different categories to enter: Traditional Tea Shop, Quirkiest Tea Shop, Contemporary Tea Shop, Cosiest Tea Shop, Coastal Tea Shop and the Tea Shop that provides the Best Afternoon Tea.
Clipper will pick the top six entries – one from each category – with the help of Kirstie Allsopp. Each shortlisted entry will win a bundle of bespoke Clipper prizes and will then go through to the next stage, which will be a consumer vote.
Once the shortlist has been announced, the awards will be opened to an online public vote in September to decide which tea shop will ultimately be crowned the Clipper Best Tea Shop in the UK.
Clipper is investing in dedicated social media and consumer PR activity, amplified through its relationship with Kirstie, to raise awareness amongst consumers and encourage more votes. Voting consumers will also have the chance to win afternoon tea at the winning Tea Shop with Kirstie.
The well-known TV presenter will visit the winning establishment and present them with the prestigious Clipper Cup, a cash prize of £2,000 and a range of Clipper products.
Kirstie Allsopp says: “I’ve been a Clipper fan ever since the brand launched and I am honoured to be part of this competition. Tea Shops are an old and exquisite tradition here in the UK and I am excited to see where the awards will finally take me for an amazing cup of tea. I usually take mine with a dash of milk and no sugar.”
Adele Ward, Clipper Teas brand controller at Wessanen UK, adds: “The UK has some of best and most unique tea shops in the world. From the traditional to the quirky, we want to celebrate our nation’s finest tea shops and reward those who work so hard to provide a relaxing and enjoyable space to savour a cup of Clipper tea.”
All the top-rated tea shops which enter will also be included in the definitive Clipper Tea Guide which will celebrate the UK’s best cups of Clipper.
Tea shops can submit an entry via an online entry form, available at www.clipper-teas.com/tea-shop-awards/
