There’s been a wobble in an attempt by a northern holiday park to revive the tradition of afternoon tea – and the finger is being pointed at Pimms jelly.
The tipply treat appears on the new afternoon tea menu at The Royal pub in the Lancashire village of Silverdale, owned by nearby Silverdale holiday park.
But customers are divided on whether it should be replaced by a more regional speciality.
Now their wish is being granted – and the park’s pub has offered to serve up an Eccles cake in place of its adult version of the children’s party favourite.
“Holiday park guests at The Royal have been lapping up our afternoon teas since we introduced them this summer,” said business owner Michael Holgate.
“However, a few have suggested that a dainty delicacy like Pimms Jelly is out of place in a northern county famous for its no-nonsense approach to life.
“We beg to differ, and don’t agree that this treat should never be seen outside Claridge’s or The Ritz where afternoon teas almost require a second mortgage.
“But if our jellies don’t gel with customers, we’ll happily give them our current alternative of a delicious crumbly Eccles cake of impeccable Lancashire credentials,” said Michael.
The Royal’s £10.95 spread does, however, have other local connections: its sandwiches, eclairs and other fancies are made on the premises, and the tea has travelled only from Farrer’s in Kendal.
Last year, The Royal re-opened after it was bought by Michael’s holiday park business and refurbished tood empty for six years.
Its cosy atmosphere, regularly changing selection of craft ales, and lunchtime and evening meals with an emphasis on local ingredients have won it a loyal local following.
And Michael hopes that now peace has broken out in the Pimms Jelly wars, all holiday guests will in future be raising their tea-cups to The Royal – without a single wobbly being thrown.