MKEspressoNut Senior Member Joined: 3 Jul 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Milton Keynes Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: Cimbali M32 Dosatron... Grinder: Mazzer Super-Jolly... Roaster: Soon to get a PopCorn Popper
Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008, 7:43am Subject: Wanting to start an Independent Coffee Shop in UK
Hi, I've been toying with the idea for a little while now and that idea is starting my own independent coffee shop. But I haven't a clue where to start. I've been working in a small chain coffee shop for the last 2 years and have reached a limit as far as my skills can progress with the company, due to the limitations placed upon us by the corporate people who live in la-la land. I have had a few ideas, The most reasonable setup and probably safest is; 3 group, possibly in-house roasting, fresh baked cakes and fresh made sandwiches etc, In terms of acctually getting customers I'm thinking going to a village in North Bucks or Southern Northant's that is intersected by a heavier 'A' Road (Olney, Buckingham etc.). In this scenario organise a partnership with a local baker to provide the baked goods afore-mentioned.
My other idea is an espresso bar with wifi and a few internet terminals near a business centre (i.e. Central Milton Keynes) with a similar setup to above but riskier due to the higher costs involved in areas like that and the fact that most of these areas already have 3 dozen Starbucks and Costa's serving them.
And my big high-flying really riskier but could pay off idea is a coffee bar and in the evenings be a live entertainment venue; small bands, comedians, poets anything like that. But that aswell comes with high costs (live entertainment licenses etc).
Obviously my highest focus is serving good quality but I don't know who to go with in terms of supply for reasonable prices, how to go about getting a business loan or setting up a business.
Any help or anyone who would be looking to come into this with me who has knowledge of starting a company and setting up please contact me.
rach22 Junior Member Joined: 1 Jul 2008 Posts: 6 Location: London Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Jul 3, 2008, 6:42am Subject: Re: Wanting to start an Independent Coffee Shop in UK
Just wanted to say, as someone who used to perform in venues regularly up until a couple of years ago, you didn't need an entertainment license as long as no more than two people ever play at the same time (ie. acoustic duos, stand ups, poets etc = no license required). The rules may have changed, but it was like that for many years and I haven't heard anything about it changing, so it's not necessarily a problem.
I suggest you find a way to differentiate yourself from the competition - living in London, I see Costas and Starbucks getting a lot of customers, but indies with live entertainment etc are just as busy. If you can figure out what people really want from a coffee shop that they aren't currently getting, you're onto a winner (maybe you could raid your current employers' suggestion box?!).
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