TEA-LOVERS can step back in time to sample the delights of a new Victorian-themed tea room tucked away inside a Halesowen shop.

Jason Gelder has opened Gelder's Tea Parlour, which specialises in traditional, unusual and speciality teas, accompanied by home-made baked cakes and delights, inside Tabouki Laine - a boutique on Hagley Road in the town centre.

It is an Aladdin's cave of all things Victorian which Jason has been collecting since he was a teenager.

Halesowen News: Gelder's Tea Parlour.Gelder's Tea Parlour.

Jason's love of Victoriana began when, aged 15, he did a paper round and one of his stops was at Mrs Fisher's antiques and collectibles on Dudley Road, Halesowen.

He struck up a friendship with Mrs Fisher who would encourage him to buy items with his earnings - sparking a love of antiques and Victoriana which has continued all his life.

Jason, aged 49, said: "She befriended me and would call me in and try to sell me items and I would say 'can you keep that for me' and she would let me pay for things in instalments.

"That got me into antiques - our house looks like it is at the Black Country museum - with a few mod cons!

"It's been a dream of mine to open the tea shop - it's been in my mind for the last ten years.

"I've been collecting items and storing them at home over the years.

"It's something a bit different - you get a lot of modern tea shops - but a Victorian one is unusual - so I just thought I would go for it and the response has been great so far."

Halesowen News: The tea room is an Aladdin's cave of Victoriana.The tea room is an Aladdin's cave of Victoriana.

Jason opened the tea room on August 2 during the school summer holidays as he works full-time in catering at the Blue Coat School in Harborne, Birmingham.

When Jason goes back to work in September his partner Paul Burbridge will take over the reigns on weekdays, but Jason's ultimate dream is to run the tea shop full-time.

Paul, aged 49, is a clothing designer and runs Burbo K'ture Boutique upstairs at Tabouki Lane.

Halesowen News: Paul Burbridge.Paul Burbridge.

The couple live in Lyde Green.

Gelder's Tea Parlour opens on Thursdays and Fridays from 11am till 3pm and on Saturdays from 10am till 3pm. People can walk in or message it on Facebook to book a table or party for afternoon tea.

Halesowen News: The tea room is inside Tabouki Laine boutique.The tea room is inside Tabouki Laine boutique.