Pub operators cash in on coffee
The south-east based group Whiting & Hammond’s seventh site now achieves the highest turn-over of the firm’s estate, due mainly to its coffee shop.
Coffee-shop sales at Stanmer House in Brighton, East Sussex, for the year to December 2012 were £103,955 and they had reached £74,762 by 21 June this year. MD Brian Whiting projects sales of £185,000 for this year as a whole.
"The coffee shop is just one of the success stories of Stanmer House; it is a business within a business," he said.
The offer has evolved with the site, with comment cards and data-capture cards integral to its success.
Meanwhile, Welsh brewer Brains’ Coffee#1 format, acquired in October 2011, recently won Coffee Bar Chain of the Year at the Café Society Awards for the fifth year running.
With 31 sites across Wales and the south-west, four further openings are planned this summer — with a target of hitting 50 sites within three years.
"We have a simple vision driving the business," said retail director Philip Lay. "The finest coffee, friendly service and the kind of comfortable environment where people want to spend time.
"Coffee#1 has been a great success story for us and we continue to invest in its development. We recently opened a dedicated training academy at Fishponds in Bristol where all of our staff receive training as baristas."
Furthermore, managed pub and bar group TCG has selected Cafeology, the ethical beverage company, as its new coffee partner, as it looks to further grow sales.
Cafeology will supply coffee to the majority of TCG’s 75 sites, and the launch will be supported with hands-on barista training for all operational staff.
