Our Story
The Folly Coffee House is an essential part of the North Craven Building Preservation Trust (NCBPT), the charity which runs it – the proceeds provide vital income that helps us care for The Folly itself and support the volunteer-run Museum of North Craven Life.
The Folly is a historic house built in 1679 for lawyer and landowner Richard Preston and the Coffee House carries on the warm, friendly and hospitable atmosphere of Lettice Preston’s own kitchen. Through good, local food and drink, great service and a welcoming atmosphere, we have built our Coffee House into one of the best cafés in Settle.
In 1996, one half of The Folly was saved from dereliction by the Trust, which opened the Museum in 2001. In 2010, we purchased the North Range, reuniting both halves of the building. This once grand family home has been a farmhouse, a warehouse, a boarding house, a fish and chip shop and a doctor’s surgery! In 2018, the Trust converted part of the building used as a holiday let to create the Coffee House, giving the public access to The Folly’s original kitchen. This is one of the most interesting parts of the house, from the witchmarks over the windows to the huge inglenook fireplace.
Closure due to Covid-19
Covid-19 meant we had to shut our doors on 23 March 2020. We furloughed all our staff, but to support them we have kept wages at 100% for as long as we could; the 20% extra has come from our own reserves, costing £2500 per month. We estimate it costs us £165 per day just to keep the The Folly and Coffee House running – even though we’re closed! We need to be able to pay for utilities, insurance, phone and internet.
Although we have been lucky enough to be awarded an Arts Council England emergency grant, this money is ring-fenced, meaning we cannot spend it on wages, running costs or making the coffee house safe.
Before we reopen, we will need to comply with government guidance by making changes to the Coffee House, so that it is safe for all customers and staff. We need to buy screens to shield our staff, extra gloves and cleaning supplies and hand sanitiser for use by staff and customers.
What can you do to help?
We need to recoup income lost while we’ve been closed, to help meet running costs and pay staff wages once we reopen.
Please consider making a donation or buying a Coffee House voucher that you or friends and family can use in August and beyond. You can redeem these vouchers until August 2021. We will also be offering takeaway drinks and meals after we reopen, so even if you are shielding, you can still get your Folly Coffee fix.
For just £3 you can buy a coffee for yourself or a loved one. For £20, you can become a Supporter of The Trust. You could even sponsor one of the stones in the fireplace, or the daisy wheel design over our front door which keeps witches at bay (or so people thought in 1679)! Thank you notes and certificates of sponsorship can be posted worldwide.
Other rewards have been generously donated by friends of The Folly. If you would like to support us but live too far away to benefit from the reward schemes, please consider making a small monthly donation directly to the Museum.
Donate or buy a reward today and help more people experience the magical atmosphere of the Museum of North Craven Life and The Folly Coffee House.
“It's a real treat to be able to come in here, have a cup of tea or coffee and relax in such fabulous surroundings. You imagine that at any moment a secret door will open and somebody – or even a ghostly apparition – will come out and join you.“ – customer Crispin H
Details
- How will I get my coffee/ Coffee House Vouchers?
Once the crowdfunder closes in August, we will contact all donors by email with a unique number. Simply show us this number on your next visit and we’ll give you your reward! This means we can keep track of who has claimed, and whether anyone has forgotten. If you forget to collect your vouchers, we will contact you in September to remind you.
- Where is the money going?
All money raised through this crowdfunder will go to the North Craven Building Preservation Trust (Registered Charity no. 505438), who own The Folly and run The Folly Coffee House. The money will be spent on running costs for The Folly and the Coffee House.
- What deductions are there to my donation?
Crowdfunder are making no charges to charity fundraisers at this time. Therefore, if you donate £20, we get £20. If you gift aid your donation (UK tax payers only), if you donate £20, we get £25!
- How can I contact you?
Contact us: Email HDO@NCBPT.org.uk or call 01729 825185 on Mondays or Fridays to get in touch.