Cafe of the year winners announced

Pontefract and Castleford Express Cafe of the year
Winner
The Tea shop
Elaine Walker, Sarah Ramsey, Sarah Bugg, Helen Skelding, Colin Dean, Betty Dean — Pontefract and Castleford Express Cafe of the year Winner The Tea shop Elaine Walker, Sarah Ramsey, Sarah Bugg, Helen Skelding, Colin Dean, Betty Dean

And the Express can now reveal the winners.

The Tea Shop at Shoe Market, Pontefract received the most votes and is this year’s winner of The Cafe of the Year award.

It received a trophy and certificate.

Pontefract and Castleford Express Cafe of the year
2nd place
Sarah Wallbank and Jessie Young — Pontefract and Castleford Express Cafe of the year 2nd place Sarah Wallbank and Jessie Young

Owner Helen Skelding said: “We are really overwhelmed by the response and how much customers went out their way to support us. We can’t believe it.

“Without them and the hard work of every single member of staff, the cafe wouldn’t be where it is today.”

Flavours Coffee Shop at Salter Row, Pontefract and Belles at Beastfair, Pontefract were runners up.

Rachel Snell, manager of Flavours, which came second in the competition, said: “We are really happy to have won and want to say a big thank you to all the customers that voted for us.”

Pontefract and Castleford Express Cafe of the year
3rd place
Philippa Brooksbank, Beryl Hartland, Clare Brown, Vicky Fenton — Pontefract and Castleford Express Cafe of the year 3rd place Philippa Brooksbank, Beryl Hartland, Clare Brown, Vicky Fenton

Marnie Smith of Belles , which came third, said: “We were very pleased to be nominated and achieve third place. We send our congratulations to The Tea Shop and Flavours.”

We launched our Cafe of the Year competition earlier this year, asking people to nominate the best cafe and tea rooms in the area.

Nine cafes made our shortlist and readers then had two weeks to vote for their favourite.

The Express congratulates all winners.