Society Spotlight: The Coffee Shed, Filey
- 7 Murray St, Filey YO14 9DA
- 07572 605122
- 08:30 – 16:30
- The Coffee Shed
- @thecoffeeshed
Nestled up in the North East of Yorkshire, The Coffee Shed is one of Filey’s coastal coffee gems.
Starting out as just a single mobile coffee van, the business has flourished due in part to a solid business plan, savvy market awareness, a little bit of luck and of course a love for all things coffee.
The ‘Shed’ itself is cosy, inviting, with a a dash of quaint styling that differentiate it from other coffee shops in the surrounding area. This family run business has finally developed permanent roots whilst still maintaining those initial mobile coffee aspirations of owner and manager, Nick Burgess.
“Initially we started out as a mobile coffee van. Myself and my wife unfortunately hated our jobs, but loved coffee. So luckily being a mechanic, I was able to convert a van on my driveway,” Nick tells us. “A local Tesco store had contacted us, allowing us to put our first van outside their supermarket.”
A major stroke of good luck despite the sudden change of career and financial risks involved. But it paid off.
The original Coffee on the Go outside Tesco, Filey.
“Although it technically wasn’t completely mobile, it was there for three years before we added a further two coffee vans outside other Tesco stores.
“Unfortunately they [Tesco] changed their policy on outside vendors, which technically left us ‘homeless’, so we actually went on-the-road by putting two of the vehicles around and outside other businesses in the area.”
Coffee on the Go evolved from selling coffee to Tesco customers, and expanded into the lucrative lunchtime market, providing cakes, sandwiches and of course refreshments for the hungry staff of businesses within the Filey area.
Myself and my wife unfortunately hated our jobs, but loved coffee. So luckily being a mechanic, I was able to convert a van on my driveway.
But Nick and his wife were constantly looking for a more permanent base of operations, after some time they secured a more regular spot in a local garden centre. It could accommodate a maximum of 13 people, some might call it ‘snug’.
It was essentially, as Nick himself put it: “a shed.”
At least a name for this next venture was found – after just a year of trading ‘The Coffee Shed’ found a truly permanent home in a new development on Filey’s Murray Street.
Inside the bustling Coffee Shed’s Murray Street home.
Finding the value in consistent coffee
“I think it’s really important to understand coffee to be able to pull a good espresso and of course make good coffee.”
We try to be consistent in our coffee making. it’s not always possible but we really put an emphasis on quality first.
“We’ve found that people follow us, look out for us and go out of their way to come to our shop. Obviously we try to be consistent in our coffee making, it’s not always possible but we really put an emphasis on quality first.”
As with many coffee shops, there are a few specialities that Nick and his staff pride themselves upon: “I’d say my signature is the flat white.
“I like to send out every coffee with tulip latte art. My wife makes an unbelievable cappuccino, she’s the cappuccino queen! Each barista in the shop will have their own take on a drink too.”
The value of luck
Although bigger premises are not always the answer, even with on-the-road success the Burgess family were aware of this: “I think had we opened a big shop, with big overheads, we maybe wouldn’t have fared quite as well in those early days.”
“We have had some great luck, we started small and built up slowly building a customer base up and making sure we keep our loyal customers happy. Which has enabled us to grow and move to bigger premises.”
I think had we opened a big shop, with big overheads, we maybe wouldn’t have fared quite as well in those early days.
“We pride ourselves on customer service, as often as I can, I will make myself a drink and go and sit with regular customers. We think that is important to get to know the people who are willing to spend their money with you on a regular basis.
“This is our passion as well as the way we earn our living.”
More than just snacks
Not limited to just coffee, The Coffee Shed offers some incredible breakfast and lunchtime options, with some signature dishes that include the Yorkshireman’s Lunch – a platter style Ploughman’s – and they even put together a cracking Full English, aptly named – The Shed Breakfast.
Cakes, tray bakes and more are also the perfect accompaniment to a flat white from the man himself – Nick.
You definitely won’t leave hungry after a visit.
How did they find Caffe Society?
“Prior to starting the business I actually Googled – ‘local coffee suppliers’ – Caffe Society was one of the first results.
“We did all of our barista training with Caffe Society, and during the training process we tasted the Super Crema blend – which I really loved – we’ve used it exclusively since.”
“In four years, we’ve not had a bad bag, the consistency is superb especially as we have an Expobar Elen machine that, again, we purchased direct from your website.”
How to find Coffee on the Go
With mobile units the Coffee on the Go portion of the business is still active at events, festivals and more all over the region. Regular updates of van locations on their Facebook page:
Take a look inside The Coffee Shed
Nick and his family have shown how a passion for all things coffee, dedication to the craft and of course a little bit of luck can change the fortunes of a business.
Having only opened their flagship coffee shop in 2015, the Coffee Shed looks to go from strength to strength.
And we can’t wait to see what the future has in store.
Inspired by the success of The Coffee Shed? Want to embark on your own coffee-creating journey? We’d love to hear from you, give us a call on 01977 687 580 or Contact Us, and we will strive to help you get your business up and running.