The Great Tea Blender (AKA The Tea Shop) celebrates its first year of trading in Trinity Indoor Market on Saturday 7 May. And Marion Ring, who runs the shop, is doing more than just putting the kettle on to mark the occasion.

Slices of a specially made Earl Grey and Lemon cake will be given away to customers, along with some Mumbai Chai chocolates handmade by fellow Trinity Indoor Market stallholder Jon Collins from Cocoa Chocolatier.

An East Yorkshire tea has also been blended for the occasion, with free samples being given away, and 100g being offered at the discounted rate of £4. Plus, there is 10% off everything else in the shop.

It is well worth checking out this small but perfectly formed alcove just on the entrance to Hepworth’s Arcade. There are over 120 teas ranging from English Breakfast to Chai teas, green tea, rooibos (red bush) tea, fruit teas and herbal teas. There really is something to suit everyone’s pallet. And, if you aren’t a tea drinker, perhaps one which tastes like Jammy Dodgers would be more your thing? The peanut butter and jam tea can provide you with that experience. Then there is Orange Cookies tea, and Butter Truffle Tea. The list goes on and on. And, if there is something you fancy having as a tea, Marion can try to get it in – she has access to over 800 teas.

One of the most popular types of tea nowadays is Chai, which is an Indian tea containing spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves. Each family in India has their own special blend of tea, which is passed down through the generations.

It isn’t just loose tea which Marion sells either; she also has Dead Bod mugs, tea strainers in the shapes of manatees and her personal favourite, squirrels, as well as unusual teapots.

Marion started her tea-selling career doing farmers’ markets and craft fairs, but after taking a stall outside St Stephens’ one Christmas, she decided to set up shop in Hull and found that Trinity Indoor Market was ideal for her needs.

She said: “The market has huge potential. There are already a lot of good stalls; Cocoa Chocolatier, Caffeinated, Trinity Dairy, Wall of Fame. There is a good atmosphere with the other traders. We support each other like a family.

“It is better than travelling about. You get a lot of repeat customers, and people like to know where you are. I am the only place in the city centre selling loose tea.”

The Great Tea Blender, or The Tea Shop, as it is now more affectionately known, is open from 9.30am-3.30pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays, in Trinity Indoor Market, next to Hepworth’s Arcade.

You can also check it out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatTeaBlender/