About a month ago, I received in the post a very nice envelope with my name and address written in fountain pen on the front with a big red stamp ER at the top. I opened it very carefully, to find inside an invitation to Buckingham palace for a cocktail party! Her Majesty the Queen […]
Buckingham Palace – I’ve been invited Read More »
In planning for Kaffeine, we talked for a long while amongst ourselves and also with very respected and knowledgeable people from the industry about loyalty cards and whether we would introduce them. Ultimately, as some people may be aware, we decided not to. A number of people we spoke to felt they were a nuisance
Loyalty Cards, Discount Cards, Rewards Cards – An Explanation Read More »
In the planning for Kaffeine, I came across a book called ‘Wake up and smell the Profit, 52 ways to maximise profit in your cafe business’, by Hugh Gilmartin and Johnnie Richardson. In that book, one of the things they listed was the importance of the five human senses. Taste, feel, sight, sound and hearing
The Five Senses – An Explanation Read More »
In the planning and research for this business, it never occurred to me exactly how much a part of the local community a cafe such as Kaffeine can be. I am really proud to be able to walk down the street and say hello to so many people who are our customers. I am also
Community and Independent Coffee Shops – An Explanation Read More »
As you may know already, before Kaffeine, I worked at Lord’s Cricket Ground, spending 3 and a half years there looking after all the casual catering staff. This year we are back again, and this week in particular is the big one, the second Test, against one of the great all time teams with the
One Tree Coffee at Lord’s Cricket Ground Read More »
Sundays for me have always been special. Sundays have always been the more fun, casual outings, no pretensions, while Saturdays were all about swanning about looking your best and dressing up. Not for me thank you. In the 80’s, it was all about going to the pub and having large quantities of alcohol and usually,
Sunday’s – An Explanation Read More »
So it was, that two years ago this week, the builders started on Kaffeine. It had taken six months just to get the keys to number 66, as the leaseholder was still paying rent even though it was unoccupied, and now finally work had begun. I was still employed by Marylebone Cricket Club but had
Two years Ago – A story Read More »
Is the life of a cafe owner glamorous? Financially rewarding? Life affirming? Ha! Perhaps to some it may appear to be, and that is why some people decide to go into this business, even though they have no experience in this industry but wish to follow their dream of owning their own place. The reason
The Life of a Cafe Owner – An Explanation Read More »
I have always worked in hospitality, 25 years now, since I was 16 years old. There are a lot of people who are much better than I am at it, very very experienced people that I respect and admire, and one of the main things I do respect about these people and the places they
Providing Service – An Explanation Read More »
Prior to opening, as a part of the business plan and goals, we set certain targets and ideals. Some of thse we have achieved, others not quite, but last week at an awards ceremony I was personally recognised by the industry through the Cafe Society with the Cafe Society Award, as recognition for contributiuon to
The Cafe Society Awards – Winner – Contribution to the Industry Read More »
