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 very proud of the fact that we are able to bring people together within the cafe, that we bring more people to the area and that we have been able to bring a higher standard of cafe to the area, something I hope is of value for our other local retail businesses and also our local residents.
Much research has been done, and proven, that a good cafe can be a very, very important part of the fabric of a local community, and in this day and age of chains and identikit high streets, a much valued one.
I am approached quite often by real estate agents who have been instructed by their landlords to find a good quality cafe for their area. They do not want S*bucks or C*sta, they want an independent, who is promoting quality and style and I guess, also of importance, to be able to contribute to the adhesive thread of the community.
They say, ‘we want a good independent who will drive quality and service and improve the value of our estate’. Interesting. Is it finally now that perhaps we small independents have some sort of power over the big chains in negotiating a leasehold?
Now that is something to think about. Perhaps I should have a word to Mary Portas.
Peter Dore-Smith
Director
Kaffeine Ltd
66 Great Titchfield st.
15 Eastcastle st.