An award-winning tea firm has confirmed its new Kent store is officially open for business – with a new blend to commemorate the occasion.

Bird and Blend Tea Company has launched in Canterbury, filling the gap left in The Parade by Iconic Jewellery’s departure last year.

After launching in 2013 the company has 18 locations in the UK with sites in London, Brighton, and Edinburgh.

Mike Turner, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Bird & Blend Tea Co. said: “Customer experience is at the heart of everything we do.

“Alongside the fast growth of the digital side of our business, we’re proudly continuing to invest in local high streets too.

“We see our stores as not just retail spaces, but as community hubs where customers can come to make connections with one another and our team, and enjoy interacting with our teas.

“For us, there will always be a place for magical in-person experiences and we’re delighted to be arriving in Canterbury.”

To mark the occasion, a special ‘Cup & Chaucer’ blend has been created – a nod to the historic book The Canterbury Tales by 14th Century writer Geoffrey Chaucer.

Customers can expect to see wild concoctions such as Birthday Cake and Blue Raspberry to Chocolate Digestives, alongside firm favourites Builders Breakfast Brew and Earl Grey Crème.

Offering the largest Matcha tea range in the UK, the store will even run its own mixology workshops, where guests can learn about tea and blend their own to take home.

The store will be open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 11pm to 5pm on Sundays.

An official launch party will be held on May 18, with the first 50 customers receiving a Canterbury tote bag and lots of free tea whilst the first 20 customers will also receive a sample of the new ‘Cup & Chaucer” blend.

Six jobs have been created, with a store and trainee manager heading up the team alongside four tea mixologist roles.

Founded by Krisi Smith and Mike Turner, who met at university, Bird and Blend now offers over 100 flavours of tea by blending ingredients including herbs, flowers, fruits, caramel, chocolate and cake sprinkles.

The firm has received praise for its innovation, with the Great Taste Awards regularly awarding Bird and Blend five stars along with multiple regional awards.