Overview of Coffee Shop

A coffee shop serves coffees, teas, soft drinks and cookies. However the experience is less about the product consumption and more about convenience and a venue to meet people. The owner and staff are 'baristas', which means they are trained in the skill of making espresso-based drinks such as cappuccinos, lattes, mochas and iced and flavoured coffees. Other hot and cold drinks such as tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks, fruit juices and smoothies may also be sold, along with a limited range of food such as cakes, pastries, muffins and sandwiches.

In recent years there has been an explosion in the number of coffee shops in UK cities. Although many form part of larger chains such as Costa Coffee, Starbucks and Café Nero, there is plenty of room for independent businesses with continental trends giving rise to an increase in smaller, more specialised coffee shops. A coffee shop is a hybrid business and, generally an urban affair located on high streets in city and town centres, it caters for passing trade from shoppers, tourists and office workers.

Coffee Shop Guide

This short profile looks at setting up in business operating a coffee shop. It considers the personal attributes necessary to run this type of business as well as the training available. It looks at customers and competition, the issues affecting the market for this type of service, and the legal requirements and start up costs. Sources of further information are also listed.