, UK

Rewards outweigh challenges for independent cafe owners

Despite the difficult work, independence from corporations is the most valued perk of running cafes and coffee shops across the UK, according to their owners.

According to new research by the Caffè Culture Show, 58.7% of independent café and coffee shop owners find working for themselves appealing and the biggest reason to go independent.

This is in spite of the challenges that accompany the work.

Staff and HR issues and managing the finances cause café owners the most headaches, which comprise 38% and 18% of the surveyed responses. Fourteen percent say the hard work and long hours involved are the most challenging aspect of running the business.

The most enjoyable parts of life behind the counter are providing great customer service and satisfaction (46%) and being the boss and all that that entails (19%).

Nearly seven in ten or 68% of the surveyed café owners changed careers to start up their business, but aside from a passion for coffee and food and drink, over half (54%) had no previous industry experience at all.

Caffè Culture Show Event Director Cheryl Carroll said, “Starting up and running an independent café or coffee shop is not for the faint-hearted, but the rewards are many if the business model is right. There are thousands of successful independent operators across the UK and we’re delighted that so many attend the show to share their knowledge and experiences.”

“Many of the café owners we surveyed talked about the lack of advice, information and support they experienced when getting their business off the ground which is where we can help.”

Money matters were the biggest hurdle for café owners at start-up stage, according to the study. Thirty percent said finance was the biggest challenge, from raising initial capital to purchasing supplies, managing cash flow and costing menus.

Nearly six in ten (59.2%) owners of independent coffee shops and cafés saw business performance improve in 2014 compared to 2013. Ninety-two percent are confident and optimistic about their business in the coming year, 80% expect turnover to grow and over half (53 per cent) will increase staff numbers. Three in ten plan to open more cafés within the next two years.

Caffè Culture Show speaker, business adviser John Richardson said, “One of the most fascinating statistics from this research is how many people changed career to open their first shop. Opening a coffee shop is a very appealing dream for many people but the reality of getting the business off the ground and making a profit is often very different.”
 

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