A Brief History of Lion House Tearooms

Charlotte had dreamed of owning her own tearoom for basically her entire life. The teapopt collection started from a young age, to the point her Dad had to tell her to not bring anymore home as the house was full of them! (It was only temporary and she managed to sneak more in, don’t worry)

In 2014 Charlotte and her family stumbled across a property for sale in their local town of Leek and instantly fell in love! After a gruelling 12 months of being turned down by every bank, she didn’t give up and carried on returning asking for help with a new and improved business plan. Eventually one believed in the dream and accepted!

Lion House, 4 Russell Street was bought by Charlotte in December 2015 as a damp, run down, shell of a building set over four floors. Whilst working full time over 3 jobs, Charlotte, her Dad and any friends she could rope in began work on every spare day or night off.They did everything themselves from plastering ceilings, hanging chandeliers, fitting kitchens and bathrooms,ripping out suspended ceilings, building booth seating areas, tiling floors, lotssssss of wallpapering. You name it, they did it as a family. This took almost 2 years! So when we say homemade with love…. We’re not exaggerating.
The name of the building, Lion House, instantly stuck and Lion House Tearoom opened its doors 6th November 2017. It felt like a million miracles and dreams had come true. WE are now part of the fabulous Totally Locally scheme in Leek which supports all independent businesses and creates fantastic local events.


Previously it had been built to be Leeks first library in 1862. It has also been part of the college, a mechanics institute, Leek assurance and offices.