Golden era Hollywood inspires new York tearooms

‘The Hollie Wood’ opens this weekend at 18 High Petergate is the venture of Andrew Simpsont, a Hollywood Golden Age style tearoom serving brunch, luncheon and afternoon tea.

Langleys Solicitors in York acted on the three-year lease of the property which is an historic mock Tudor building, close to York Minster and owned by the York Conservation Trust.

The Hollie Wood has been carefully fitted out to reflect the nostalgia of Hollywood’s Golden Age and also includes a collection of memorabilia featuring autographs, photographs and wardrobe items from 1930s and 1940s film.

York-born Andrew, 29, a film memorabilia collector and avid baker, said: “Opening the tearoom is a dream come true. It’s a cocktail of Gatsby, Downton and Hollywood all merged into one. Every single detail of the tearoom epitomises the lifestyle of the 1930s film star.”

Andrew spent three years searching for the right property for his Hollywood-themed business. “I just love that era of film – it established the careers of so many iconic film stars like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn and it fits very comfortably with the types of cakes and food I intend to sell.”

James Bradley, assistant solicitor in commercial property at Langleys, said: “This is an exciting venture to have been involved in and Andrew’s painstaking work in overseeing the fitting out of the property and attention to detail has paid off. We wish him all the best for his Hollie Wood business.”

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