Tag: coffee shops

The WorkHouse Coffee Company is a hit in Reading

Posted on by Sara Walker

When it comes to coffee shop competition, it’s not often that an independent coffee shop business will survive when it’s surrounded by Costa, Starbucks, Pret and other global coffee shop chains. But, one local business in Reading – The Workhouse Coffee Company – is doing amazingly well despite being opposite two major coffee shop chains.

The WorkHouse Coffee Company was set up eight years ago by Australian business man, Greg Costello who wanted to bring good quality coffee to Reading.
There are now several WorkHouse Coffee Company cafes in the Reading area, including shops on King Street and Oxford Street.

Managers at the WorkHouse Coffee Company employ people from all over the World and also sample different coffee beans regularly to make sure the coffee served is always top quality. Costello has also started to source and roast his own coffee beans.

On top of this, the shop is renowned for its high quality coffee beans, delicious food and excellent customer service. And, the business has been nominated for a Reading Retail Award.

Amazingly, the WorkHouse Coffee Company does not rely on any marketing or advertising and instead relies purely on word of mouth to spread the word.

If you’re into your coffee you’ll be in for a treat here. According to the Independent, Baristas at the WorkHouse Coffee Company will make people coffee to their exact specifications. Forget flat whites, skinny lattes and medium Americano’s with a drop of milk – this is an independent coffee shop that has made good quality coffee beans and its customers’ preferences a top priority. The café also made it into the Independent’s top 50 best breakfast spots list.

It’s certainly nice to see an independent business flourishing in a time when global corporations are opening up chains of fake independent coffee shops in an attempt to pass them off as unique businesses.

The rise of the suspended coffee

Posted on by Sara Walker

suspended coffee

Italy was the first country to introduce the idea of a ‘suspended coffee’. The idea has since spread to Bulgaria and hopefully will take off in the UK.

What is a suspended coffee?

Rather than giving money to homeless people on the streets or those struggling financially, you can now buy people suspended coffees or sandwiches at coffee shops participating in the scheme.

So, when you’re buying your morning cup of coffee made from freshly ground coffee beans, you can buy another one for someone else. Your purchase is tallied on a board, so when someone is in need of food or a drink, they can come in and claim their free coffee or sandwich.

With coffee shops, outlets and coffee machines dotted about all over our high streets, I’d like to think this idea will take off throughout the UK. Coffee 7 near Forest Gate station in London is taking part in the scheme and Costa Coffee has been inundated with requests to introduce suspended coffee.

So, will the idea spread? It’s popular in Italy and now Bulgaria, but what about the UK? There’s no reason why it shouldn’t work. After all, many people want to help those who are struggling financially but don’t want the money to go on drugs or cigarettes.

I sometimes buy hot drinks for homeless people; however, if you’re in a rush, buying a suspended coffee when you’re buying a drink for yourself anyway is a brilliant idea and will probably encourage more people to give. I think the idea of suspended coffee could be a positive move forwards to a more giving, empathetic society.

It’s a scheme that will hopefully bring out the best in human nature. What have the coffee shops got to lose? It’s a win-win situation for everyone. And who knows where it might lead – imagine suspended clothing, computers or even holidays.

You can find out more about Suspended Coffee and read hear warming stories by visiting the suspended coffee Facebook page.