Member profile: Brew! Phil Kirby

Aug 14 2008

PHIL Kirby, aged 26, took the plunge in March this year to leave his career in corporate finance behind and start the UK’s first high street tea chain here in Liverpool.

The decision came following eight months of work into the idea of setting up a trendy tea bar more akin to a high street coffee shop than a Victorian Tea Room.

Through research, conducted as far field as Hong Kong and Chicago, Phil identified that many countries had realised the increasing popularity of tea (mainly due to exceptional health properties) and revolutionised its appeal with new brands and products.

The notable exception from this list was the traditionally tea-drinking UK. “What I wanted to do was to make tea cool again; after all it is what we English are supposed to drink” he said.

"At Brew we have created a setting unlike anything the tea industry has seen before where you can conduct business meetings, chat with friends or simply enjoy a proper cuppa in a contemporary way with modern comforts such as free wifi and a quality environment.

"Also, by doing away with the tea bag our “tea to go” offer means you don’t have to worry about throwing the bag away or your tea stewing before you get to your desk.”

Brew is unique in that you can choose from a range of 25 loose leaf teas each individually created by Phil and Brew’s master tea blender.

Alternatively you can chose from Brew’s unique signature menu which houses tea lattes (including English Breakfast, green tea or rooibos/redbush) and tea smoothies (including chocolate rooibos or vanilla green tea).

Phil is set to open Brew’s flagship first outlet on Wednesday August 20th at St Paul’s Square, Old Hall Street and aims to grow the brand to 12 stores within three years.

LDP Business Club members are entitled to 10% off at Brew upon production of your Business Club membership card.