We said we would never go cash free in the shop, but we have and here’s why… Our setup with hundreds of small transactions each day is attractive to dishonest staff and presents a tempting option to those who are basically honest. In fact we have rarely found staff with their hands in the till, but that was partly…
For those who like us were allowed to stay open, Covid has not necessarily been the financial disaster it has been for others. It seems almost unfair that we have received so much in rants and reduced VAT. Of course it’s not over yet, business wise the worst may be soon to come as competitors reopen and chase reduced…
Things are changing fast around our shop on “The Bello” with the new more relaxed Covid rules. It’s busier and the demand for our two outside tables is intense. This weekend will see the reopening of the antiques market too where we have a one day per week outlet. We are looking for a full time staff member for…
The UK organic market is booming 12.6% up year on year. This is the highest growth since dip that followed the 2007 financial crisis – the total market has now reached reaching £2.79B. Growth is led by online sales during the Covid pandemic, say the Soil Association: “organic is now rightfully recognised as the cornerstone of a resilient food…
You can guess why: the big C. Our manager was in bed for nearly three weeks and when a second (symptomless) staff member tested positive we decided to close for a week. No-one at Coffee Plant has tested positive or had any symptoms till now, so maybe we were caught out by the new variant. We are due to…
If you haven’t been in our shop lately you will notice the team has changed. Michele the manager has been with us for two years but Raluca, Aylin and Ciar are new, following on from our summer team of Amro and Amira. Like most places we are not as busy making cups of coffee as pre-Covid and are managing…
The politics obsessed western media has hardly noticed but Central America has been hit by one of the most destructive hurricanes on record. Hurricane Eta has mainly affected Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, three coffee growing countries whose coffee we roast at Coffee Plant. Eta has dumped anywhere between 15 and 25 inches of rain with a potential of going…
That’s the bad news, but there is good news too, a massive public reaction that has seen 250,000 signatures collected. MPs have spoken out too, with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fairtrade condemning this decision strongly, after grilling Nestlé representatives in Parliament. Nestle have not been shamed into reversing their decision but say they will maintain some Fairtrade values…
Most of our coffees are single origin, but that’s not because they are better than blends. Blends can taste better, but many customers seem to prefer a back story to their coffee which House Blend or Espresso Blend does not offer. Commercially the secrets of blending can be tightly guarded and blends very complex. The ingredients list can be…
Thanks to all our local customers who have supported us during the Covid emergency. Many of you have told us they will always support the Portobello community, but that’s not the only reason our sales of coffee beans have held up. One of the main vectors of transmission, especially during the early days going into lockdown, was overcrowded supermarkets…
Shop open seven days
Shop open 7 days
Mon-Fri: 8:00am to 4:00pm
Sat: 8:00am to 4:00pm
Sun: 8:00am to 4:00pm
020 7221 8137
180 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2EB
Roastery wholesale & mail order
020 8453 1144
