Speciality Tea Shop Moves into the High Road
Bird & Blend takes over the John Lewis of Hungerford premises
Samples being offered outside the new store this weekend
October 18, 2025
Speciality tea retailer Bird & Blend Tea Co. has opened on Chiswick High Road.
It launched this Friday (17 October) at number 254 next to Pizza Express, the former premises of John Lewis of Hungerford, the bespoke kitchen provider.
Known for its wide range of creative tea blends, Bird & Blend offers over 100 flavours, including Chocolate Digestive, MojiTEA, and Tea & Toast. The Chiswick store will also feature a locally inspired blend called “London Fog,” a variation on Earl Grey developed exclusively for London locations. Half of the profits from sales of this blend will be donated to UK Paraclimbing Collective, the store’s chosen charity for the quarter.
It will be the first speciality tea seller on the High Road since Whittard’s of Chelsea closed in 2012.
The new store will host a variety of activities including tea mixology workshops, matcha demonstrations, and a takeaway tea bar. Six new roles have been created for the Chiswick team, including a manager, assistant manager, and four tea mixologists.
Founded by Krisi Smith and Mike Turner, Bird & Blend began as a small operation packing tea in a bedroom and selling at markets. The company now operates both online and through physical stores across the UK, with locations in cities such as Bath, Brighton, Cardiff, and Manchester. I
The Chiswick branch is the brand’s 28th retail site since its founding in 2013.
An official opening event is scheduled for 30 October, featuring tea cocktails and giveaways for the first 50 customers. The store will be open daily, offering tea tastings and product guidance to visitors.
Mike Turner, Managing Director, said, “Customer experience is at the heart of everything we do. Alongside the fast growth of the digital side of our business, we’re proudly continuing to invest in local high streets too. We see our stores as not just retail spaces, but as community hubs where customers can come to make connections with one another and our team, and enjoy interacting with our teas. For us, there will always be a place for magical in-person experiences and we’re delighted to be arriving in Chiswick.”
We have contacted John Lewis of Hungerford to ask why the decision was made to close the Chiswick branch.
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