A much loved cafe in Howden run by a couple who returned to the area having worked overseas has scooped a sought after business award which puts it in the running for a national title. Badger & Bean, which gives customers views of the town’s minster, has already won ‘Best Cafe’ in the East Yorkshire regional heat of the England’s Business Awards, which celebrate top businesses.
Owners Keith and Sarah Moulton, who left corporate jobs in Switzerland before taking over the cafe just over two years ago, say they are thrilled with the achievement – which now puts them in the running for the programme’s Grand Final in November. Their venue is the town’s top rated cafe on TripAdvisor and has earned a loyal customer base for its coffee, breakfast and brunch-focussed offering which uses local produce.
“Apart from the recognition of hard work from the team, its obviously great publicity for us and we’re also now in the national competition which takes place in Birmingham in November,” explained Sarah. “The customers have just embraced us and they are so fiercely loyal – you’ll probably see that from the social media.”
Around 50 other cafes were nominated in the Yorkshire regional heat, with just five shortlisted on the night. Badger & Bean, which is named after the couple’s dog, was handed the award at a recent ceremony at the Queen’s Hotel in Leeds.
Sarah and Keith took over the cafe, initially as Sarah’s retirement project, from its previous owner who had run it for 20 years and have successfully built a following among locals and tourists, particularly international travellers coming off the ferry. They started with four staff and have grown to a team of 16, who cater to a busy footfall.
An unknown customer nominated Badger & Bean for the England Business Awards with Sarah and Keith receiving a surprise letter informing them of the news. The cafe was then subject to a public vote and a mystery diner judging – though the pair are yet to learn what helped them win the regional title.
Sarah explained: “My gut feeling is that its the staff. If you look at our Google reviews, it’s all about how friendly everyone is and what a good vibe the place has. That’s sort of our unique selling point, really. That and amazing coffee!”
(Image: Badger & Bean)
She added: “We don’t care if you’re four or 90. We’re not aiming at any particular type of customer. We’re just happy to have anyone with us and we cater for the lot. We have our own brand of coffee, supplied to us by Howden Coffee and all of our cakes and bakes are made by small local businesses in the area.
“The majority of our supplies – including vegetables, meat, bread, eggs etc – come from local companies as well. We try to support the local businesses in the town and in East Yorkshire.”
The popular dog friendly venue can seat 42 people inside and a further 12 outside. The Moultons previously picked up Best New Business at last year’s Goole and Howdenshire Business Excellence Awards and were shortlisted this year for Business of the Year.
(Image: Badger & Bean)
“This was supposed to be my retirement project that I was going to tinker at but it’s become slightly more than that. We both come from a corporate background. I was working for Johnson & Johnson for 15 years, and Keith was in GE in Switzerland for 30 years. So we were both sitting behind desks, pushing pens.”
They relocated to Howden in 2021 – with Sarah returning to her roots in the area. Badger & Bean’s success comes at time of major challenges for the hospitality industry, with Sarah admitting it has “not been easy”.
She added: “This year it has really taken off. Probably since Christmas it has grown out of all proportion, certainly more than we ever anticipated. That’s the most amazing thing. The team make it. I’m the face of it, Keith does the background business stuff and the team are just flying with it.”