The leading information and business resource for the UK's cafè bar market

Each month we are going to share a case study of an independently owned café bar with you.

The businesses we choose to focus on will vary in size and scope and will be aimed at different target markets. They will operate in different areas of the UK, from big cities to small towns. Each will offer an alternative perspective on the café bar industry, but most of all, each of the participants is going to provide a no-holds-barred look at their business ­ a completely honest account of what it takes to run a successful café bar in the UK.

  This month month’s interview is with Oliver de Trafford who has worked hard to create a successful business in an area of Brighton which was in need of regeneration: 1. Location/s: York place, Brighton 2. Number of outlets: 1 3. Date Opened: 3rd December 2007 4. Who owns the business? Family business Oliver de Trafford, Karl Griscti, Kate de… [Read more]

This month’s interview is with Davinder Dhallu of Six Eight Kafé in Birmingham who is striving to bring excellent quality coffee to the city. He found Hannah, their new Manager in an unusual way: 1. Location: Temple Row, Birmingham City Centre 2. Number of outlets: 1 3. Date Opened: February, 2011 4. Who owns the business? Owned… [Read more]

This month’s interview was conducted with Claire Beesley of the Counter Cafe on their pontoon on the River Lea opposite the main Olympic Stadium in east London.   1. Location/s: The Counter Café is situated on the bank of the River Lea – 100m from the main Olympic Stadium – about a 10min walk. 2…. [Read more]

This month’s interview was conducted with Edward Berry of The Conservatory Barn and Café Location – situated beside the Ludlow Food Centre in Bromfield, near Ludlow, Shropshire Number of outlets: 1 Date Opened: 2007 Who owns the business? The Earl of Plymouth Estates Annual turnover? 850kg of coffee Number of staff? Part time – 5… [Read more]

May’s interview was carried out with Robert Robinson of Notes and Flat Cap Coffee from St Martin’s Lane, London WC2 Notes & The Flat Cap Coffee Co Locations: Notes Trafalgar Square 31 St Martin’s Lane London WC2N 4ERNotes Covent Garden 36 Wellington Street WC2E 7BDFlat Cap Fleet St 186A Fleet Street EC4A 2HRFlat Cap St… [Read more]

December’s interview was carried out with Sam Tawil at Bold Street Coffee in Liverpool Bold Street Coffee Location: Bold Street, LiverpoolNumber of outlets: OneOpened: May 2010Who owns the business? Sam TawilAnnual turnover? £350kNumber of staff? 12 (including Sam)Best selling product? LatteCost of 8 oz latte: £2.30
Cost of a single espresso: £1.50Business model: 50/50 coffee and… [Read more]

October’s interview was carried out with Tim Hume at Redroaster in Brighton Location: St James Street, Brighton Number of outlets: One (along with a roasting site) Opened: 2000 Who owns the business? Tim and Caroline Hume Annual turnover? £500k Number of staff? 10 full time staff and 3-4 part time staff Best selling product? Cappuccino… [Read more]

September’s interview was conducted with Umer Ashraf Malik of iCafé in Glasgow Location: Glasgow, Scotland Number of outlets: Four Opened: Great Western Road 2005 Gibson Street 2006 Woodlands Road 2010 Pollokshaws Road 2010 (iCafe Espressed) Are all your outlets on main high streets? All are locating within a few roads of each other around offices… [Read more]

August’s Caffè Case Study was conducted with Hugo Hercod of Relish in Wadebridge. Relish Food & Drink Location: Wadebride, CornwallOn the high street: No, tucked away off the beaten track – deliberately so!Annual turnover: £250kWho owns the business: Sarah and Hugo HercodNo. of staff: 9 (including Hugo and Sarah)Opened: December 2006Business model: Café with delicatessenLength… [Read more]