Business lunch? No, thanks. I'd rather go for afternoon tea.

11th February 2013

A boozy lunch isn't the only option for Britain's business community, as more and more employees opt to hold their business meetings over a cup of tea instead.

As the profile of afternoon tea continues to rise, businessmen and women are increasingly turning to prestigious urban hotels and tearooms in which to conduct their business meetings. The elegant, rarified surroundings, discreet and unobtrusive service, finger food, plus the absence of alcohol in favour of a refreshing cup of tea make afternoon tea an ideal alternative.

"I've been here since we refurbished the hotel in 2005," says Leila Mussaud, English Tea Room Manager at Browns Hotel in Mayfair, London.

"Back then, our customers were mainly either families with their granddaughters and grandsons, or ladies with their shopping bags. Business clientele only made up around ten percent of our guests. But now, I see many people - men and women - here with laptops, discussing projects and obviously having conversations about business."

"There are lots of distractions in a restaurant, you've got the starter, then the main course and dessert whereas here, you still get the same standard of service, but we serve the tea and bring the stand over and we will leave them alone if that's what they want.

While the majority of London's Tea Guild hotels will be booked up for weeks in advance Leila does have to juggle insistent secretaries and PAs whose bosses and clients need to meet at particular times. Advance booking is always recommended.

"We're located in the heart of Glasgow, on the borders of the retail and business districts," says Paul Reynolds, owner of Cup, Glasgow - a highly successful group of innovative, independent tea lounges.

"We have lots of offices around here so we get loads of companies using us for their staff incentives groups, as well as employees who need to use a location for a meeting that's out of the office.

Privacy and a conducive environment is key. "Our tables are well spaced, so customers are able to hold a private meeting," he adds.

"We've also found that companies find is to be a more sociable environment than the pub for team building exercises."

Back in London, Ben Purton, Food and Beverage Manager at the Royal Horse Guards Hotel, near Charing Cross agrees.

"We've hosted all-day meetings where the client has asked us to bring out something ‘Quintessentially British' so we roll out the afternoon tea guns, so to speak."

"We adapt the product all the time and I think you have to be flexible. For business meetings, we slice the scones and serve with the cream and jam already on them. Nobdy wants to be spreading jam in the boardroom."

While there is obviously a difference in the wants and needs of the leisure and business guest, venues still have to provide the same level of expert service.

"You can still provide guests with the ‘theatre of afternoon tea' whether it's in a 45 minute sitting or over two hours," says Ben.

"The seasoned afternoon tea takers will be very expressive about what type of tea they want to try, and will often be looking to experiment with different teas. Or, guests will be quite particular and will tell you their tastes. That's where the sommelier part of the job is important. It only takes 30 to 45 seconds to recommend a particular tea, so even when guests are in business mode, they still have the confidence to ask us what we recommend."