"Granny's Tea House" as seen on ITV Daybreak

When ITV Daybreak visited Benidorm at the beginning of August, the entertainment correspondant Steve Hargrave popped in on some of the local businesses run by British ex-pats.
The last of these was "Granny's Tea House" which can be found at the end of the Old Town - near to the Dove Park.

Me enjoying a proper cup of tea with Polly pouring!

Pauline - or as she is better known to all her customers Polly - has had Granny's Tea Shop for 15 years. Pauline came to Benidorm 36 years ago - leaving her native Blackpool and moving to a similar seaside location .... but this time with sun! She initially ran a bar for 8 years then bought the Tea Shop which was opposite her bar and ran both simultaneously for 3 years between 96 -98. She then sold the bar to concentrate on the Tea Shop and hasn't looked back. Stepping into the shop is like stepping into a little bit of England... its very quaint and certainly reminded me of being back in Blighty. Its one place where you can guarantee a good pot of tea - wrapped in a tea cosy and a delicious home made scone!

You will not be disturbed by a huge plasma TV blaring out Sky sport or karaokee like in many of the bars and cafes in Benidorm. As well as afternoon tea's you can also get a traditional British fry-up and snacks such as quiche and baked potatos. It is literally located at the end of Tapas alley and seems strange how two such diverse cultures can sit alongside each other without competing but complementing each other.  Whilst I was there a steady stream of customers came in. One couple were Bev & Kevin, on holiday from Yorkshire who are regulars at the Tea Shop. They told me they have been coming to Benidorm for the last 7 years and always head to the Tea Shop when over.

Polly and Steve Hargrave during filming for ITV

The Tea Shop is open Monday - Saturday 9.30am till 5.30pm and between January and June it is also open on Sunday's. She has certainly seen many changes in Benidorm since she first arrived but considers it her home now after so many years and is obviously fluent in the language. She is more than happy to help out her customers and advise them where to visit and what to do whilst on their holiday in her adopted town.

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