MORE details about Otley’s very first Coffee Festival have been revealed.

The event will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2020 and local residents, businesses and councillors attended a launch evening on Tuesday, October 8 to find out more.

Town Mayor Councillor Peter Jackson attended and hailed the festival as a welcome new addition to Otley’s calendar of attractions.

Richard Hughes meanwhile, from organisers Otley Coffee Culture, said coffee lovers should mark the date in their diaries.

He said: “We are organising the festival to provide a great day out but also to show people that Otley is a true coffee town.

“Otley Coffee Culture is a not-for-profit venture and we hope, in future years, to raise significant funds for good causes.

“In the festival’s exhibition hub at Otley Parish Church there will be coffee talks, latte art and other coffee competitions along with good music, children’s activities, and stands with coffee-related products.

“At the heart of the event will be coffee tasting and discussion: as well as Dark Woods, Casa Espresso, Discovery, North Star and Third Wave coffee roasters have all confirmed their involvement. Visitors will also be able to visit Otley’s coffee shops and take advantage of festival specials and discounts.”

Tom Winder from Cranberry Coffee Shop pointed out that it was great to be launching the festival on the same day that four of Otley’s coffee shops had made the top 20 in Leeds for visitor reviews.

Details about how the event will focus on fair trade and sustainability were also shared and there was a display by Vegware, which will be the festival’s compostable cup partner and programme sponsor.

The festival’s green and socially responsible credentials are also highlighted on a website, www.otleycoffeeculture.co.uk, that has been launched to promote the event. It says: “Within the coffee trade there is great opportunity to do good. Responsible coffee businesses can promote fair shares for producers and can support appropriate measures to protect fragile ecosystems.

“At the Otley festival we will be working with and showcasing businesses that use their economic muscle to promote good practice.”

Guests at the launch night were also served coffee from sponsors Dark Woods coffee and given ‘goodie bags’ that that included hand-made coffee chocolates from Otley’s Patisserie Viennoise along with festival information.

Otley Coffee Festival is being financially supported by Otley BID.