A much loved yurt which was erected during the Covid pandemic was finally taken down last week.

The yurt which belonged to Hetty's Tea Shop in Froghall Wharf became a destination for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire residents during the pandemic.

Last week Staffordshire County Council informed Hetty's that it was time for the yurt to come down following the temporary permission.

Hetty's Tea Shop owner, Emma Atkinson, who opened Hetty's six years ago this coming Good Friday said: "The council were very kind of letting me keep it up through Covid, it has been my life line through such financial hard times.

"I am upset that it has to come down, it's the end of an era for me but I've got to go with it.

"I want to work with the council in the future to install huts or some kind of pod so I've got somewhere for my dog walkers to sit. The yurt was starting to look a little tired so maybe it was time for it to come down."

Hetty's Tea Shop was granted temporary permission for its yurt (Grant/Google).

Recently the Tea Shop has undergone a transformation and changed the upstairs which was a formally holiday rental unit into a twist on Alice in Wonderland called Madam Hetty's which promises a magical afternoon tea experience.

Emma continues: "I feel though I'm struggling more now than I was through Covid with everything coming at me now. With inflation prices on food, the electric bill and everything has just skyrocketed through the roof.

"I am really hopeful that they are going to let me put something in its place, that's what I'd like to see."

The yurt became popular with dog walkers who would stop at Hetty's and spend time in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside while enjoying a coffee and a piece of cake.

The tea shop, in Froghall Wharf, is popular with Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordhire residents (Joanne Robinson).

Philip White, Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: "The County Council was keen to support Hetty's through the pandemic, which was a particularly challenging time for all hospitality businesses, by granting permission, temporarily, for the yurt.

"We extended this support well beyond the initially agreed period to allow the business time to recover as Covid restrictions lifted, however this was always a temporary arrangement and there would be planning considerations for anything longer term in this sensitive conservation area."

Hetty's is open 10am–4pm everyday and has a wide choice of menu items and afternoon tea.

READ MORE: Fresh demolition bid for historic home after previous request was refused permission

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