When innovation joins forces with determination, success knows no limits.
There’s not much Lois hasn’t been through as a business owner. From taking on her first employees, to facing a global pandemic, she has grown her small business into a giant success story.
Appearing in wide ranging media from the Guardian to the Yorkshireman, Lois’ name has become synonymous with Whitby, and her innovative creation, the now internationally famous Fish and Chips Afternoon Tea.
Her expertise goes well beyond hospitality. With a proven track record of curating and running small and large scale events, she brings exceptional skills in creating unique experiences.
Her PR and marketing expertise is grounded in real-world business experience, enabling her to craft success stories from every perspective.
Lois is an experienced speaker, presenting at a wide range of events and seminars.
When Lois first stepped into a Whitby café, it was tired, forgotten, and on the brink of being lost to time. But where others saw a rundown space, she saw potential. With unwavering drive and determination, she poured her heart into every detail—transforming it into a multi–award-winning destination restaurant and venue, proudly ranked among the top 10% of restaurants worldwide on TripAdvisor.
In a seaside town already famous for fish and chips, Lois knew she needed something extraordinary to make her restaurant stand out. Her answer? The now-iconic Fish and Chips Afternoon Tea—a playful twist that captured imaginations, drew crowds, and set social media alight. But Lois didn’t stop there. Harnessing her PR and marketing skills, she built a buzz that turned a local eatery into a must-visit destination, running creative campaigns that kept people talking.
Leading her team through the challenges of COVID, economic uncertainty, and shifting seasons, Lois’s resilience never wavered. Under her leadership, the business didn’t just survive—it grew by over 900%.
Today, her story has been shared across magazines, news outlets, radio, and beyond—a true testament to what passion, creativity, and determination can achieve.
Lois’ business acumen and experience is wide ranging, and in 2024 Lois founded, and now Chairs, the Whitby Lit Fest. A large scale event, that encompasses dozens of authors across multiple venues throughout the town. Welcoming authors such as Lee Child, Rob Rinder, Sir Alan Ayckbourn, Steph McGovern and more, she built and leads an exemplary Steering Committee dedicated to delivering a world class Literature Festival.
As featured
My Yorkshire Life – Lois Kirtlan: Owner of Hetty & Betty and Chair of Whitby Lit Fest.
Whitby Entrepreneur inspires students with hospitality insights and start-up wisdom