About James Barber Tobacconist
A Yorkshire Family Business Since 1867
Four Generations of Heritage, Tradition and Family Dedication
Established in 1867, James Barber Tobacconist is one of Britain’s longest-established independent family-run tobacconists, with a history spanning almost 160 years.
From its humble beginnings in the Yorkshire market town of Otley to its present home in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate, the business has weathered changing times, overcome challenges and evolved through four generations of the Barber family.
Today, the business continues under the care of fourth-generation owner James Barber, alongside his wife Rosalie and a dedicated team who share their commitment to preserving its heritage.
Our Beginnings: Joseph Barber and the American Tobacco Trade
The Barber story began in 1867, when Joseph Barber, James’s great-grandfather, established the family tobacco business in Otley, West Yorkshire.
An enterprising businessman whose ambitions reached far beyond Yorkshire, Joseph travelled to the United States in the years following the American Civil War.
According to family accounts, he acquired land interests in Virginia and Kentucky, developing tobacco plantations and establishing a successful transatlantic trading business.
Joseph is believed to have crossed the Atlantic more than thirty times, visiting his American tobacco interests and importing tobacco into England.
Back in Otley, he operated both a tobacconist shop and a factory specialising in traditional twist pipe tobacco.
His entrepreneurial spirit, determination and willingness to venture beyond familiar shores laid the foundations for a family business that would endure for generations.
A Family Business Through Changing Times
Like many businesses with a long history, Barber’s has experienced both triumphs and difficult times.
In the late 1930s, a devastating fire destroyed the family’s tobacco factory in Otley. Despite the loss, the Barber family persevered, ensuring the business continued trading.
The shop later relocated a few doors down the street, before moving to larger premises across the road during the 1960s.
Successive generations, including Jack Barber and his brother Fred, played important roles in maintaining and developing the business. Their dedication helped preserve the family’s reputation for specialist knowledge and personal service.
Through changing economic conditions, evolving customer preferences and the challenges of independent retail, the Barber name remained firmly established in Yorkshire.
James Barber: Continuing the Family Legacy
Growing up surrounded by the family business, James Barber developed an appreciation for the traditional tobacconist trade from an early age.
In 1980, at just 21 years old, James took over the business, accepting the responsibility of continuing a legacy that was already more than a century old.
His experience, determination and ability to adapt have been central to the business’s continued success.
In 1994, James became the youngest chairman of the Association of Independent Tobacco Specialists, reflecting his longstanding commitment to the specialist trade.
Recognising the potential of the internet, he also helped establish Barber’s as an early pioneer of online tobacco retail during the 1990s.
In 2019, the business began a new chapter in Harrogate, bringing its rich Yorkshire heritage to Cold Bath Road.
Throughout the years, James has remained committed to the principles on which the business was founded: specialist knowledge, independence, personal service and respect for tradition.
The Family and People Behind the Business
Behind every successful family business are people whose contributions are not always visible but whose efforts have helped shape its history.
Throughout the years, James Barber Tobacconist has been fortunate to receive the support, dedication and hard work of many family members and colleagues.
We are particularly grateful to Angela, Lauren and Alicia, who each contributed to the business during different chapters of its journey.
Our appreciation also extends to the many loyal colleagues who worked alongside the Barber family in Otley over the years. Some dedicated a considerable part of their working lives to the business, helping build lasting relationships with customers and maintaining the traditions that continue to define Barber’s today.
James’s daughter Alicia also returned for a short period to assist with administrative responsibilities before choosing to devote more time to her children and family life. Her contributions, both past and recent, remain part of the Barber story.
As we look back on nearly 160 years, we recognise that the business has never been sustained by one individual alone. Every generation, every helping hand and every person who has shared in its journey has played a part in bringing us to where we are today.
James and Rosalie: Building on Tradition
Today, James continues to lead the business alongside his wife, Rosalie Barber, combining his decades of experience and specialist knowledge with her enthusiasm for customer relationships, business development and the wider cigar community.
As Sales Manager, Premium Cigar Specialist and Event Organiser, Rosalie is actively involved in the daily operations, supplier relationships, website development, product knowledge and the organisation of specialist events.
Together, James and Rosalie have continued to develop the business while respecting the traditions and values established by previous generations.
Their shared approach brings together experience and fresh ideas, helping the business remain relevant while retaining the personal character of an independent family tobacconist.
The Team Today
At the heart of James Barber Tobacconist is a small, dedicated team whose knowledge, commitment and friendly approach help create the welcoming atmosphere our customers have come to know.
Ryan, Sy and Tony play important roles in the daily running of the shop, assisting customers and helping maintain the standards of personal service that have long been associated with the Barber name.
Family involvement remains an important part of everyday life at Barber’s. Connie, Sam and Sarah continue to lend a hand on Saturdays and during special events, bringing their own energy, enthusiasm and support to the business.
We would also like to express our appreciation to Richard, whose knowledge, enthusiasm and dedication have been valued by both the team and our customers. During his time with us, he generously shared his expertise with cigar and pipe enthusiasts, always striving to offer thoughtful advice and assistance. As he moves on to pursue his new position related to his degree, we thank him for his contribution and wish him every success in the future.
Whether someone has been part of Barber’s for many years or just a short chapter, we believe every contribution deserves to be remembered with gratitude.
Our Shop in Harrogate
Today, James Barber Tobacconist is located at 63–65 Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, where traditional tobacconist heritage meets the knowledge and experience of a modern specialist retailer.
Our shop offers a carefully maintained selection of Havana and New World cigars, pipes, pipe tobacco and specialist accessories.
Our dedicated Cigar Studio reflects the business’s longstanding involvement in the specialist cigar trade, while our outdoor terrace provides a space for adult enthusiasts to gather and enjoy conversation.
Over the years, we have also developed a programme of specialist events, educational evenings and community gatherings, bringing together customers, industry professionals and friends of the business.
While the shop and its surroundings have changed considerably since Joseph Barber first opened his doors, our commitment to personal service and specialist knowledge remains as important as ever.
Celebrating 160 Years: 1867–2027
In 2027, James Barber Tobacconist will mark an extraordinary milestone: 160 years since Joseph Barber founded the family business in Otley.
From Joseph’s transatlantic ventures and the early tobacco factory to the dedication of Jack, Fred, James and the generations who followed, the Barber story is one of perseverance, enterprise and family commitment.
Our 160th anniversary is more than a celebration of longevity. It is an opportunity to honour the people who helped build the business, remember the challenges overcome along the way and express our gratitude to those who continue to support us.
We are planning a special 160th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, 19 June 2027, in Harrogate, bringing together family, friends, customers, colleagues and industry partners who have been part of our journey.
Through original photographs, family memories and stories from the past, we hope to share a little more of the remarkable history behind the Barber name.
Our Story Continues
From Joseph Barber’s first shop in 1867 to the business James, Rosalie and their team care for today, much has changed over the generations.
Yet the values at its heart remain familiar: family, hard work, resilience, specialist knowledge and the importance of genuine relationships.
We are proud of the history we have inherited, grateful to everyone who has helped shape it and committed to preserving it for the years ahead.
Established in 1867. Proudly independent. Four generations of Barber family ownership.
James Barber Tobacconist — Honouring the Past, Embracing the Present, Looking to the Future.
The business is one of the largest pipe and handmade cigar retailers outside of London. The shop sells a wide variety of tobacco products and giftware, specialising in those hard to find men’s gifts. Inside the shop there is a spacious cigar humidors, where connoisseurs will find many of their favourite brands in stock including such hard to find cigars. Their friendly staff have a wide knowledge of the tobacconist trade. With only an estimated 29 specialist tobacconist retailers left in the UK James had to make his business survive. In October 1997 James began trading on the internet, supplying customers all over the world including royalty and celebrities.
In 1994, James was elected as the youngest ever Chairman of the Association of Independent Tobacco Specialists, which is the UK’s national tobacco governing body. He has also won the tobacconist Retailer of the Year Award twice for making a special contribution to the trade.
Over the years, James has had the opportunity to travel to Cuba and the Dominican Republic. On one occasion whilst in Cuba James was privileged to be invited to the exclusive El Laguito cigar factory in Havana, a beautiful mansion home to the famous Cohiba brand. On one of his visits to Cuba he attended an official dinner organised by the Cuban Government at the famous Club Tropicana in Havana. Half way through the dinner the iconic Cuban leader Fidel Castro arrived, who was seated on the next table to James. Over the years James has attended numerous cigar dinners and tobacco conferences with royalty and celebrities. His favourite celebrity moment was being a backing singer on Ringo Starrs album “Vertical Man” recorded in L.A. The backing vocals that James sang were “La Di Da” which is cockney rhyming slang for a cigar which still makes him laugh to this day.
In 2007 history was made when we moved into our new 4000 sq foot shop in Westgate, Otley.
Having traded on Kirkgate for over 140 years it was a bold move to make. The shop has continued to flourish at it’s new premises in Harrogate.
15 years ago James started a new business with Mike Davies, another former chairman of the Tobacco Association. Sarome UK has sole distribution rights for Sarome Lighters, Porsche Design Smoking Products, Falcon Pipes, Savinelli and Big Ben pipes. They also import their own brand called Artamis which includes tobacco accessories and giftware. Sarome now supplies over 1500 shops across the world.