by Will | Jun 3, 2026 | Coffee Shop Owners, Equipment Guidance, For Startups
Your espresso machine gets most of the attention. But ask any experienced barista or café owner and they’ll tell you the same thing: the grinder matters more. An outstanding machine paired with a mediocre grinder will produce mediocre coffee. A great grinder...
by Will | Apr 26, 2026 | Coffee Shop Owners, For Startups, Industry Insights
Some locations announce themselves. Busy high streets, well-worn coffee trails, the kind of spot where footfall does half your marketing for you. South Parade in Whitley Bay is not that street. It has history — for years it was a centre for nightlife and a gathering...
by Will | Apr 18, 2026 | Coffee Shop Owners, Commercial Espresso Machines, For Startups, Industry Insights
Most business origin stories involve a gap in the market, a business plan, maybe a mentor. This one starts with a television programme and a gut feeling. Nearly 19 years ago, she was working as a legal secretary at a solicitors’ firm in Manchester — straight out...
by Will | Apr 12, 2026 | Coffee Shop Owners, For Startups, Industry Insights
Some businesses expand by chasing new markets. HBW Coffee expanded by doing more of what they’ve always done best. HBW Coffee opened in 2018 on Stirling’s Barnton Street as a speciality coffee spot with an all-day brunch menu. From the beginning, the approach was...
by Will | Apr 12, 2026 | Coffee Shop Owners, For Startups, Industry Insights
Some people plan their way into the coffee industry. Others get pulled in by something they can’t ignore. The founder of Tamp & Grind Specialty Coffee spent nearly 20 years as a firefighter — serving across West Sussex, Hampshire and finally London Fire Brigade....
by Will | Mar 27, 2026 | Behind the Scenes, Coffee Shop Owners, For Startups
Running a mobile coffee business comes with its own set of considerations when it comes to installing a commercial espresso machine. Whether you’re operating from a converted van, a trailer, or a purpose-built mobile unit, getting the prep right before...
