1865

1865

1865
1897

1897

1897
1960

1960

1960
2015

2015

2015
2017

2017

2017
2022

2022

2022

Hello!

We are John Watt & Son, an independent coffee roasters and tea blenders, established in 1865 and based in the heart of Carlisle. Founded upon closely guarded recipes that have been handed down over the past 150 years, we strive to produce the highest quality, fresh and delicious coffee and tea in Cumbria.

John Watt & Son is a business built on a rich history that has grown to develop strong local reputation and is known as the source of one of Carlisle’s ‘famous’ smells; the distinctive scent of traditionally, freshly roasted coffee across the streets of the border city!

As a company, our key principles firmly underpin the decision-making in our day-to-day business. We are always committed to working hard to meet your needs and exceeding your expectations.

Having received recognition from the likes of The Fairtrade Foundation and Rainforest Alliance we are proud of our unique, nuanced roasts and blends and are fortunate to be able to say, that after humble beginnings all those years ago, we provide coffee and tea to many happy customers across the globe.

Not only do we focus our time in roasting the best coffee, but we also operate a number of small cafes across our city and have formed partnerships with a collection of businesses as high quality and reliable caterers.

We aim to provide food that is all sourced locally, usually within a 50-mile radius of our outlets. Not only does this reduce our carbon footprint; but by using and promoting products of local businesses and developing long-lasting relationships, we help to create opportunity for the local supply chain.

We are dedicated in constantly taking steps to be more sustainable as a business, be that ensuring as much of our packaging as possible is eco-friendly and recyclable, using Vegware in our cafes or cutting down on waste wherever we can. We are also proud to hold Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance Accreditation ensuring the producers we work with get a fair deal.

Whatever your tipple, tea or coffee, we hope anyone and everyone can find their favourite brew with John Watt & Son, whether you’re a complete novice or a coffee connoisseur! We always love to hear from our customers so if you’d like to chat with us, pop over to our contact page and get in touch!

from all at

John Watt + Son

Our Values

fresh

FRESHLY ROASTED, FRESHLY BLENDED, FRESHLY PREPARED, FRESHLY COOKED, FRESH IDEAS AND A FRESH APPROACH TO DOING WHAT WE DO.

JOHN WATT & SON MAY HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED OVER 155 YEARS AGO, AND WE ARE ALWAYS EXCITED TO EMBRACE IT’S HISTORY, BUT TODAY EVERYTHING ABOUT OUR THINKING AND APPROACH TO BUSINESS IS AS FRESH AS THE MOUNTAIN AIR WHERE OUR COFFEES AND TEAS ARE GROWN!

OUR COFFEES ARE FRESHLY ROASTED AND OUR TEAS FRESHLY BLENDED BY US ON OUR PREMISES. WE SERVE FOOD THAT IS FRESHLY PREPARED AND FRESHLY COOKED, AND WE’RE ALWAYS WORKING TO WELCOME FRESH IDEAS IN OUR APPROACH TO BUSINESS.

sustainable

BIODEGRADABLE, ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY, ETHICALLY-SOURCED, SUSTAINABLY GROWN… THESE ARE ALL THINGS FIRMLY INGRAINED INTO OUR ETHOS HERE AT JOHN WATT & SON.

AS MANY OF OUR CUSTOMERS DO TOO, WE CARE GREATLY ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT. WE STRIVE TO ETHICALLY SOURCE OUR PRODUCTS IN AS SUSTAINABLE A MANNER AS POSSIBLE AND FOR A FAIR PRICE. WHERE WE CAN, WE WILL ALWAYS PURCHASE PRODUCTS WITH THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED ACCREDITATIONS OF RAINFOREST ALLIANCE, FAIRTRADE AND ETHICAL TEA PARTNERSHIP.

IN ADDITION, WE ARE CONSTANTLY ACTIVELY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PRODUCTS PACKAGED IN COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS AND USING BIODEGRADABLE COFFEE CUPS IN OUR CAFÉS.

WE ALSO TRY TO ENSURE THAT ANY SURPLUS STOCK (BE THAT BEANS OR THE BURLAP SACKS AND PALLETS THEY’RE DELIVERED WITH!) DOESN’T GO TO WASTE – SO KEEP AN EYE OUT ON SPECIAL DEALS AND FREEBIES TO HELP US MINIMISE UNNECESSARY WASTE AND LOOK AFTER OUR PLANET TOGETHER!

reliable

WE DO WHAT WE SAY, WHEN WE SAY IT, ON TIME, EACH TIME, EVERY TIME.

HERE AT JOHN WATT & SON, WE CONSIDER OUR CUSTOMERS AS IMMENSELY IMPORTANT TO US AND WE BELIEVE THEY DESERVE THE BEST PRODUCTS AND SERVICE WE CAN POSSIBLY PROVIDE.

WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THE VOLUME OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK WE RECEIVE. THIS FEEDBACK IS A RESULT OF SPEEDY DELIVERY, CONSISTENTLY HIGH-QUALITY GOODS, AND EXCELLENT, FRIENDLY CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE ARE OPEN AND HONEST IN ALL OUR DEALINGS WITH CUSTOMERS, SUPPLIERS, AND STAFF.

WHEN DOING BUSINESS WITH OR PURCHASING GOODS FROM JOHN WATT & SON, YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT YOU ARE IN RELIABLE HANDS.