Building Literatea: Update

People often talk about starting a business as if it begins with a great idea. In fact I said the same thing in the first ever blog on this site. Turns out, it actually begins with a very long list.

Over the last few months, Lucy and I have been building Literatea. On the surface, it sounds wonderfully simple: books, tea, a welcoming place for people to spend time and a webstie. But behind that simple idea has been a constant stream of learning, decisions and occasional setbacks.

The latest came recently when we missed out on a property on Walcot Street in Bath. We loved the location and could see the potential immediately. Unfortunately, it went to sealed bids and we didn't win.

It was frustrating.

For a few days, it felt like a significant setback. We'd spent days researching the location, modelling the numbers and imagining what Literatea could become there. But after the disappointment faded, a different thought emerged. Perhaps this is a sign that we should start somewhere smaller and less competitive first. Somewhere that allows us to test the concept, learn what works and build steadily rather than trying to jump straight into the deep end.

If there's one thing this journey has taught us, it's that there are no shortcuts.

At various points we've found ourselves learning ecommerce, understanding the book trade, researching the tea industry, exploring the realities of running a café, designing packaging, sourcing tea, comparing suppliers, building a website, creating financial models and trying to understand commercial property leases.

Every time we think we've reached the end of the list, another list appears. And anyone that knows me knows lists are not my strong point.

There are moments when the whole thing feels overwhelming. Moments when the amount of work still ahead seems impossible to quantify. Moments when you wonder whether all the time, effort and investment will ever pay back.

I suspect anyone who has built something from scratch knows exactly what that feels like. But here's the thing: despite the setbacks, despite the uncertainty and despite the occasional feeling that we're trying to learn three different industries at once, we're still moving forward.

Because every challenge teaches us something. Every conversation improves the idea. Every obstacle forces us to think more carefully about what we're building. And every setback makes us more determined to create something worth visiting.

Literatea was never about opening a shop as quickly as possible. It was always about creating something meaningful: a place that celebrates books, encourages reading and gives people space to slow down for a while.

That vision hasn't changed.

If anything, it's become clearer.

So while we don't yet know where our first permanent home will be, we do know this: we're not stopping. The road is longer than we expected, and occasionally steeper too, but we're still walking it. And one day, when people are sitting with a book and a cup of tea in a Literatea café, all of these unseen steps will have been worth it.