About us
When a plan comes to fruition…
Founded and run by husband-and-wife duo Kate and Gino, Sass is an independent specialty coffee house and wellbeing studio nestled amongst the National Trust moorland of Marsden, West Yorkshire.
What began as a long-held dream over a decade ago — fuelled by a shared love of brunch, coffee, and meaningful connection — has now become a thriving community hub that brings together great food, exceptional coffee, and movement that makes you feel good.
Originally imagining a cosy bed and breakfast somewhere in the Lake District, Kate and Gino always knew they wanted to work together in hospitality. When Kate qualified as a Yoga Teacher, the vision evolved — combining her passion for wellbeing with Gino’s love of great coffee, quality food, and warm northern hospitality.
After years of searching for the right space, fate intervened in 2021 when Kate received a message about an old garage in Marsden. Within months, plans were drawn, dreams took shape, and both left their corporate careers to bring Sass to life — right in the heart of their local community, mid-pandemic.
Now, almost four years on, Sass has grown into exactly what they envisioned: a space where people come to feel good — body, mind, and soul. Every detail, from the coffee and menu to the classes and events, reflects their shared belief that wellbeing is about more than just what you eat or how you move — it’s about how you feel.
Kate and Gino’s passion for health, hospitality, and heart-centred connection runs through everything they do. Their mission is simple: for everyone who walks through the doors at Sass to leave feeling even better than when they arrived.
“Our aim is to ensure that when you leave us, you feel even better than when you arrived!”
Meet Kate
A self-confessed movement geek, coffee lover and proud cat mum, Kate is the founder and creative force behind Sass Wellbeing Studio & Coffee House — a space built from her lifelong dream to bring people together through movement, community and connection.
Turning 40 marked a powerful shift. With consistency, curiosity and care, Kate has found herself in the best physical and mental shape of her life — proof that strength, mobility and balance are achievable at every age. Her ADHD diagnosis just before that milestone brought even deeper clarity: helping her understand the energy, creativity and drive that fuel everything she does, both in business and in life.
With a background in event management, marketing and communications, Kate brings heart and strategy to everything she creates — from a well-thought out class timetable and thriving men’s movement programme to soulful workshops, retreats and community events.
Sass has become more than a studio; it’s a living, breathing reflection of Kate’s philosophy — that when you move well, nourish your mind, and connect with good people, everything else falls into place.
When she’s not teaching or chatting to guests over coffee, you’ll find her out walking in the hills, brunching with friends, or at home in Marsden with her husband Gino and their three cats — Jasper, Betty and Mr Floof.
Discover more about her teaching style and when you can join her on the mat.
Meet Gino
Bringing the ‘Sass’ to Sass, Gino’s Italian surname — Sassanelli — inspired the name behind the brand. Half Italian, fully northern, and endlessly passionate about great coffee, good food, and genuine connection, Gino is the heart behind the Coffee House.
Having grown up in pubs throughout the 80s and 90s, when they were true hubs of community life, Gino has always had a deep appreciation for spaces that bring people together. His dream for Sass has always been to recreate that same warmth — a place where everyone feels instantly at home (with, of course, far better coffee and food!).
With a career spanning multiple industries, Gino always knew he’d find his way back to hospitality one day. That day arrived when he and Kate first stepped into what was then an old garage — and saw the potential for what would become Sass Coffee House & Wellbeing Studio.
Now, almost four years on, Gino continues to pour his energy into every detail — from crafting the menu to perfecting the coffee to keeping the place spotless (often joking he’s the “chief cleaner”). His humour, warmth, and down-to-earth nature are woven into the very fabric of Sass.
When he’s not behind the La Marzocco, chatting to regulars, or washing up with a grin, you’ll find him out on the hills — either hiking or cycling, refuelling with good coffee and even better cake.
