Image: Sarah Mason Photography for
hebdenbridge.org
It’s no secret that in the more densely populated towns and cities across the UK, there’s an ever-increasing number of establishments with plant-based menus. But in the smaller towns, and especially those stretching further north, the all-inclusive options are admittedly few and far between. No one understands this better than Katie Hartley, who has been vegan for the past five years and has experienced the struggle first-hand. In the leafy valley town of Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, pastel paradise Humblest of Pleasures stands as the only café to have an exclusively vegan menu. Armed with a unique aesthetic and a menu filled with indulgent treats, it’s become a safe haven for vegans in Yorkshire and beyond. We caught up with Katie for a chat.
I launched Humblest of Pleasures because of my frustration at the lack of exclusively plant-based menus in the area. I remember I was in my car and couldn’t find anywhere that had a vegan menu that wasn’t super healthy or really expensive. So, I wanted to create a space where everyone could eat, regardless of their preferences.