The United Kingdom has recently experienced a lot of economic challenges. However, the country’s coffee market still stayed strong. And from the looks of it – the U.K.’s coffee culture will only keep growing. In 2024, coffee shops generated £5.3 billion in sales. The number of shops also grew to over 10,000. 

Your coffee shop can also be included among these impressive numbers in the next update. This guide will help you achieve that goal. It will teach you all the essential steps to opening a coffee shop in the U.K. You will learn about the basics – the concept, the location, and the equipment. However, you will also explore the details of starting a coffee shop business, such as finances, staffing, and marketing.

Let’s find out how to open a coffee shop in the U.K. 

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Defining Your Coffee Shop Direction

Before learning how to start a coffee shop, you must decide what type of coffee shop you will actually be. This concept will guide virtually every decision, from menu and décor to customer interaction. It will also set you apart from other coffee establishments in the U.K. 

Now, you can always open a traditional coffee shop. You cannot go wrong with a cosy spot offering great coffee, pastries, and a relaxed atmosphere. But traditional does not necessarily mean boring. You should still find your unique selling proposition – something to set you apart and attract the right crowd. It can be a specialty coffee blend or an inviting space for community events. Whatever fits your vision – and target audience – the best.

If you are not a fan of tradition, you can consider the following ideas:

  • A café with a broader menu – Serving full meals with a coffee menu can bring in quite a diverse crowd.
  • A coffee stand in a high-traffic area -Coffee stands are all about speed and convenience – both for you and your customers.
  • A coffee truck or cart – It is not more flexible than mobile coffee options like trucks or carts. With these handy options, you can take your business on the road. Events, festivals, or just another location… you get to pick who will try your tasty coffee next. 
  • A unique concept -A more niche route might be a good idea. This includes bookstore cafés, boba shops, and pet coffee shops.

Location, Location, Location

Location can make or break your coffee shop business. That’s why you should carefully choose where to open. The following factors can help you out:

  • Accessibility – You should find an area with a lot of foot traffic that is easy to find and get to. This can be a busy high street near an office building or a university.
  • Space – Your chosen location should have enough space for equipment, seating, and smooth movements for customers and staff. Parking spaces are also a plus.
  • Cost – The rent should fit your expected earnings, or you could lose money. 
  • Competition – Being near another successful coffee shop could help. However, you will need to find a way to stand out.

If you are open to different locations, you can use data to pick the best city for your coffee shop. A 2024 survey shows London and Bristol are the best U.K. cities to start a coffee shop business.

Now, location does not only refer to where your café will be. It also covers what you will do with the place design-wise. The front-of-house should reflect the atmosphere you want to create. Cosy, relaxed, professional- it is up to you. Just stick to it consistently. The back-of-house, on the other hand, should focus on efficiency. 

Essential Coffee Shop Equipment

The social media age has led to an unfortunate trend where some coffee shops focus more on looks than taste. You have probably seen them – places with stunning aesthetics and many Instagrammable corners. But their coffee? It is forgettable at best. That’s why having the right equipment is crucial. You should aim for top-notch coffee and a space that draws people in.

For the first part, you will need a commercial coffee machine. No surprises there. The exact type will depend on what you offer, how busy you expect to be, and the space you have. Here are some commercial coffee machines to consider:

  • Traditional espresso machines – These are perfect for coffee shops focusing on espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. 
  • Barista coffee machines – Barista machines are made for professional coffee making. They offer full control over brewing and steaming for memorable espresso-based drinks. You will need one of these machines for a busy shop. However, you will also need a skilled barista to use it well. 
  • Bean-to-cup machines – These handy machines grind fresh beans per order. They deliver flavourful coffee with minimal effort. This makes them perfect for self-serve or smaller setups.

Once you choose the best coffee machine for your café, it is time to get it. You will have a few options here, as well. 

  • New equipment – Purchasing a new coffee machine has its perks. You essentially get to use that machine however you’d like. However, this option also requires a substantial initial investment, which might not be possible for all business owners. 
  • Used equipment – Used coffee machines can save you a lot of money. However, there is always the question of how long they will serve you. To avoid longevity issues, you should only purchase used machines from a reliable supplier.
  • Renting equipment – When renting a coffee machine, you essentially borrow it for a set period. You can use different models and not worry about maintenance during this time. This is an excellent option for budget-conscious shop owners.
  • Leasing equipment – Coffee machine lease is an extremely popular choice among new business owners. It is the same as renting, but you get to keep the machine at the end of the term. That is, only if you want to. You can also return it or upgrade to a new model.

At Logic Vending, you can choose either of these options. You can buy a new or refurbished coffee machine, rent, or lease – it is up to you. Renting and leasing might be the most appealing options for new coffee shop owners because they offer flexibility and lower upfront costs. Plus, you’ll get support from a dedicated team to help you find the perfect machine(s) for your café. Then, do it again when it is time to upgrade. 

Once you secure the heart of your operations – the coffee machine – you can look for other essential equipment. 

First – the coffee grinder. Freshly ground beans make a big difference in your coffee’s flavour. That’s why you need quality coffee grinders to keep up with your coffee machine. 

That said, these machines will not matter without great coffee beans. The quality of these beans will define your shop’s reputation and customer experience. That’s why you should always focus on quality over price. 

Quality is precisely what you will receive when working with Logic Vending. That – and the entire essential trio. It will help you pick the machines, set them up, and provide the beans to create the perfect cup. You get the whole package, including maintenance, so you will be covered from start to finish.

Consumables and Other Essential Supplies

When starting your coffee shop, getting caught up in heavyweights like coffee machines and grinders is easy. But these are just the beginning. You will also need a lot of other supplies to ensure smooth operations. Logic Vending can help you here as well.

Milk and milk alternatives are a given. However, your baristas need the right tools to create their perfect drinks. This includes frothing pitchers, tampers, and thermometers. You must also stock up on essential consumables like flavouring syrups, hot chocolate, teas, and sweeteners. These will add variety to your menu. And you should not forget the go-to necessities – cups, lids, stirrers, straws, and napkins.

By partnering with Logic Vending, you will give your coffee shop everything it needs to succeed. This includes products that new business owners often overlook, such as cleaning supplies.

Additional Equipment

Let us take you back to Step 1 for a second – choosing the concept of your coffee shop. The best part about this concept is that you do not have to commit to a single one fully. Look at coffee giants like Costa. The chain has added exciting drinks to its offer, such as bubble tea and milkshakes. This addition was meant to appeal to younger generations like Gen Z. That is precisely what you should do – shape your coffee shop based on your target audience.

This might prompt you to purchase additional equipment for your café. Some fun options include:

  • Slush machines – A slush machine is a great way to increase profit and attract new visitors. Even better, you can lease it from Logic Vending, making it easy to test the waters. 
  • Ice cream machines – Ice cream and coffee? Sounds like a match made in heaven. And you can have this fabulous match if you invest in an ice cream machine.
  • Juice machines – Adding fresh juices to your menu is another great way to diversify your menu. It gives customers a refreshing, healthy drink to have with their coffee. Or have instead of the coffee.

As you can see, your coffee shop can truly be whatever you want it to be.

Maintenance and Servicing

Maintaining your coffee shop equipment is just as important. Imagine your espresso machine breaking down during a busy rush, and you will understand why. 

That’s why ongoing support is essential. With Logic Vending, you will never be alone. The company has a dedicated maintenance team ready to assist you at all times. That’s not to mention all the maintenance products designed to keep your machines in top shape and improve the taste of your coffee. Logic Vending has it all.

Financial Considerations

Opening a coffee shop will set you back – anywhere between £20,000 and £100,000. This price range should not be surprising given all the factors you must consider. Here are just some of them:

  • Renting or buying the location
  • Renovations
  • The initial stock
  • The equipment
  • Staffing 
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Licenses and permits 

The coffee machine alone can cost up to £10,000. That is 10% of the £100,000 investment. And that is why renting or leasing is a good option to consider. It immediately gives you the machine(s) you need, yet you pay a fraction of the cost monthly.

However, even with this option, other costs might make it challenging to complete your project. Ideally, your savings will cover all the expenses. If not, you will have to get the necessary money another way. You can take out a loan, find investors, or try crowdfunding. The first option is the most efficient and flexible, making it the most popular. 

Staffing and Training

And now, a quick check-in. Your coffee bar looks great, and your equipment is set. The only thing this picture is missing is a stellar crew. Hiring the right people is one of the most important steps in opening a coffee shop business. Just remember how often you have stopped visiting a place due to poor customer service. That downturn is because such a service can move quickly due to the viral power of social media. 

Your goal should be to find friendly employees who can easily create a welcoming atmosphere in the shop. They should be approachable so no customer is afraid to ask questions about the coffee. Naturally, they should also be able to answer these questions. Now, you do not have to look for coffee experts. However, your employees should know how to prepare coffee using different brewing methods. 

Once trained, your employees should be able to work quickly. Quickly yet accurately. Coffee shops can get rather busy, and you need employees who can keep up.

Even if you hire an experienced barista, consider creating a detailed training program. This will ensure every employee can make every drink on your menu. Make them – and answer questions about them.

Marketing and Launching Your Coffee Shop

After putting all that work into your coffee shop, it would be a shame if no one knew about it. At least no one beyond your immediate surroundings. That’s why you need marketing. 

You should start by developing a marketing plan. This will guide all your future marketing efforts. You will know exactly who to target and which channels to use. Social media will play a huge role among these channels – Instagram and TikTok.

Once people ‘fall in love’ with your staff and your coffee shop online, they will surely visit. And you can keep them coming through exciting loyalty programs and promotions.  A promotion like ‘Every 10th coffee is free’ can motivate your customers to return. 

Once you are confident about your coffee shop, it is time to share it with the world. You can do so in two ways. The first is the so-called soft opening. You organise a casual event for a select group to test everything out.

The second option is to organise a good, old grand opening. This is a more direct way to announce ‘There is a new coffee shop in town’.

Take the Leap

Starting something new is often scary. It is only natural to fear the unknown. But you see, opening a coffee shop is no longer an unknown concept to you. This guide has made sure of it. Now, it is your turn. You should visit our website for more information and resources and take the first step towards your dream.