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 11, 2026 | Coffee Shop Owners, Industry Insights
When Alex and Michelle opened Nido (nee•dough) in Dulwich, they didn’t come armed with years of hospitality experience or industry connections. They came with a clear vision, a willingness to learn, and the understanding that great coffee speaks for itself. For...
by Will | Mar 1, 2026 | For Startups, Industry Insights
Independent hospitality businesses across the UK continue to face a uniquely challenging landscape shaped by rising costs, evolving consumer behaviour and persistent operational pressures. Despite this, opportunities remain strong for operators who lean into value-led...
