Queues as CUPP Bubble Tea opens in Salisbury

CUPP Bubble Tea opens at 2pm on Silver Street, Salisbury today and queues are already forming to be one of the lucky 100 customers to try a tea for free.

Known as ‘the drink that you chew’, Bubble tea is a drink from Taiwan that consists of tea, milk and chewy tapioca pearls which, when shaken together, form a bubbly foam.

Since the UK’s first bubble tea shop opened in London in 2011, the tea-based drink has exploded in popularity. Now bubble tea lovers can get their fix in Salisbury.

Roberta Herridge, one of the store’s owners, opened the franchise so she could share her love for the drink with the city.

“Ever since I first tried bubble tea I’ve loved it. Wherever I go in the world I look for bubble tea and Salisbury has never had a bubble tea shop, so I wanted to bring one here,” said Roberta.

Keith, Roberta’s partner in business and life said he was a bubble tea convert, “I've got a natural sweet tooth so it was bound to happen!”

Roberta and Keith both worked in the NHS during the Coronavirus pandemic.

“Like many people during the pandemic we reevaluated what we wanted to do with our lives and we decided we wanted to do something new and exciting - so we opened a bubble tea shop,” explained Roberta.

“We hired people who showed a passion for bubble tea, so everyone who works here is really passionate about our products. We are all bubble tea lovers!

“Every drink is custom made so it does take time. You can customise all parts of the drink from sweetness, ice, flavours, types of bubbles, and toppings, so you can really create your perfect drink," added Roberta.

Speaking to Love Salisbury about the opening day, Keith said, “I was nervous at first but now I'm really excited. Salisbury has been really welcoming, and passersby have been stopping to chat with us and take pictures of the menus so it's been amazing”.

Love Salisbury’s Head of News, Beth Doherty, went down to try it out.

“I tried a grapefruit tea with traditional tapioca and lychee popping balls. I also couldn’t resist trying a brown sugar latte made with sweet brown sugar syrup and a shot of coffee. Both drinks were incredibly tasty and a really unique drinking experience.

“Roberta and her team are friendly, full of energy and happy to help. So if you haven’t tried bubble tea before and have no idea what to order, her lovely team will be on hand to make you your perfect drink.”

Find CUPP Bubble Tea on 63 Silver Street Salisbury, open 11am-7pm Monday to Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sundays.

You can also order your CUPP Bubble tea via Deliveroo, Uber Eats and the CUPP app, where customers can collect loyalty points.