From fashion design in London to a charming cafe in the North-East, Carli McNaught is hoping her business idea will be just our cup of tea. She talks to Lucy Richardson.

AFASHION designer has returned home from London to open the trendiest place to be seen this season – a tea shop. Six months ago, Carli Mc- Naught was a tailor, painstaking creating bespoke suits in the heart of stylish Mayfair. As her friends did not share the same days off work, she found herself whiling away her free time in another epitome of English elegance, the tea shop.

The 23-year-old was so convinced that creating a genteel meeting place for all ages would prove as popular in Middlesbrough as in the capital, so she has launched The Olde Young Tea House.

After graduating with a degree in Fashion Enterprise from Cleveland College of Art and Design, Carli was headhunted by the designer fashion label Comme des Garcons before moving to Savile Row tailor Chester Barrie.

“None of my friends had a day off on a Tuesday like me, so I would find tea shops which were really nice to be in,” she explains. “I have always collected vintage cake stands and tea cups – and now I know why,” she says. “All my friends and family were up here and I missed everyone. I took my brother to the tea shop I really liked in London and told him that there was a niche for something like this, which I thought would really work back home.”

After writing her own business plan and securing a grant from Middlesbrough Council, she opened the doors to her slice of tranquillity at the beginning of June in the centre of town. The cafe, formerly Rocket vintage clothing, reflects her love of all things retro, with dark wood tables and chairs, vintage posters and Cath Kidston crockery. Glass jars display more than 60 blends of tea from across the world, which can be sipped while taking part in the monthly knitting groups and forthcoming poetry workshops.

To complement the extensive selection of teas, sandwiches, toasted bagels, scones and fresh cakes are available – all made by three local bakers.

Carli, originally from Saltburn, says she has had no regrets about swapping her London life for teacups on Teesside. “With the whole Boho digital industries cluster, there is a real energy here. Middlesbrough was voted the worst place to live in the country but that means the only way it can go is up,” she says “Our customers range from 16 to 65, and the feedback has been very positive so I am really excited about the future. I am not someone who faffs about, when I set my mind to something I do it, so I have to make this work.

“Peoples’ lives are busier than ever – but there is something very special about coming together for a chat over a cup of tea and a piece of cake.

“I am very proud of being British and I have been brought up with traditional values which I hope people will enjoy here.”

■ The Olde Young Tea House, 84 Grange Road, Middlesbrough, is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday>

Bouquet of the Week

MILLICENT HARRISON would like to nominate Denise, who works for Bhs in Darlington. “She went way beyond the call of duty to assist me in making a purchase of some crystal chandeliers. In fact, all the staff in the customer services/lighting department were very, very helpful, says Millicent.

■ If you want to say a public thank you for good service or to a helpful neighbour, kind stranger or efficient business, write with all the details to Jenny Needham, Bouquet of the Week, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF, or email jenny.needham@nne.co.uk