First up, some crucial things to consider before you do anything.

1. Know your market.

Chances are you’ve picked a location you are interested in based on its demographic. You may be looking at a busy high street location, full of shoppers. Or you may have chosen a spot in a business district, to catch those weary, caffeine hunting office workers. Either way, it’s crucial you understand the needs of the demographic of the area you want to trade in.
What do they want? When do they want it? Having a thorough understanding of the market place will ensure you can define your menu, and get the most from your opening hours.

2. Understand the SWOTS of competition.

Understanding how competition works in the coffee industry is crucial, as, unlike some industries, coffee shops can benefit from being grouped together. It’s all a matter of understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (or SWOT) that they pose to your business.

3. Premises

Be careful here. The premises you choose can make or break your business. Start off too big (expensive), and you risk not being able to make your first rents. Start off too small and you may find you outgrow it very quickly, which can cause further costs along the line.

4. Budget

Often, you will need to confirm your premises and marketplace and put together a profit and loss before you can set a budget, hence why this option isn’t listed first. If your budget is very tight, this will limit your options, so it does help to have an idea of what financial plan you will be working within first of all. For example, if your budget is £20,000 there is little point looking at premises of £50,000PA rental, as landlords will often ask for a 25%-50% deposit, which will be almost impossible to work within your budget.

5. Potential Income

Once you have chosen a premises and market and assessed your outgoings, you will need to start considering your income. This is more difficult if you are starting a business from scratch. If you are buying a business, you will be given an idea of expected figures, but consequently, will pay more initially in the form of a business premium.

We will look at ways you can assess your potential income in a later blog post.

We hope you have enjoyed this first post, and watch out next week for the second instalment, where we will consider the importance of the USP (unique selling point).

*Source: Allegra Strategy Report ‘projectcafe11’.

Infographic designed by Breaktheseal.

Expobar have not necessarily been known for their forward thinking coffee technology, but this has all changed in the last few years, with the introduction of their own temperature control technology system. Expobar have developed their ever popular G10 espresso machine, to create a brand new, modern range, the Barista G10, which is now available in the UK.

The Barista G10 (available in a two or three group head) has individually controllable group heads, similar to the San Remo Verona and Roma, which can be adjusted individually to provide a different temperature espresso as required. This type of functionality is growing in popularity with baristas using speciality coffees, which benefit from a lower brew temperature to that of traditional espresso blends.

The main benefits of this machine are twofold – firstly, it can work off a 13 amp socket (unlike the Verona TCS, which generally requires single phase electricity), and more crucially, its price. At roughly the same price as the San Remo Capri, the Barista G10 offers the user functionality that until now has been beyond their budget.

The G10 Barista also has further built in technologies, such as self cleaning, on board statistical management (advising you on correct grind and number of cups served), and an intelligent power management system, to help control your running costs. All this plus your two steam wands, hot water tap, optional tall cup model (at no extra cost) and an 11.5 litre copper boiler mean you are getting one mean machine for your money.

Of course, there are drawbacks. Unlike the San Remo TCS system, which is stable to the exact degree from morning till night regardless of heavy operation, the Barista G10 does fluctuate slightly with constant use – we have found from our own tests that it can fluctuate by up to about 2 degrees, although it will regulate reasonably quickly. Overall, the machine is visually impressive, and the finish is also good for the price, albeit not as striking as the Verona.

However, for the technology Expobar are offering at the price it is available at, we feel the Expobar G10 Barista is a perfect choice for any establishment requiring a more stable temperature for their espresso. With this machine, you can feel confident in showcasing single origin coffees or 100% Arabica blends, both of which require more gentle treatment than traditional Arabica/Robusta café blends. You can also programme one side to a lower temperature (for example, for a guest espresso or a decaf option), and keep the other side at a higher temperature for your standard blend.

All in all, after trialling the machine in our showroom for a few weeks, we can confirm that for the price, the user is getting a machine with technology usually reserved for the big leagues. And although its not perfect, we agree that for the aspiring professional barista on a budget, there really is not better option.

Description

The G-10 Barista is an automatic espresso coffee machine with 2 individually controlled groups, electronic switchboard to control the coffee dosages volumetrically, and automatic water filling.

Features:

• Separate 1.2kw, 1.5 litre boilers for each group head.
• 3kw, 11.5 litre copper main hot water boiler for the hot water tap, two steam pipes and for preheating the water for the group heads.
• Intelligent management of the power input by the machine, so the total consumption never exceeds 330 w.
• Two steam taps (stainless steel) and one hot water tap.
• Display offering advertising/messaging, automatic dosing of hot water, time management, auditing of total brewed coffees, daily automatic ON/OFF of the machine and control of the boiler and individual group head temperature.

Specification

• Temperature controlled group heads allowing for individual control of each group.
• Each group has its own dedicated 1.5 litre boiler.
• On board diagnostics.
• Self clean function
• 11.5 litre copper boiler, allowing for no down time during rush hour and constant steam production.
• Available in tall cup for no extra cost.
• Spacious cup store and warm space.
• Two stainless steel steam wands
• Intelligent management of heating to help preserve energy.
• Good working space.

We went in order to showcase both our San Remo Verona and Roma machines plus our Rainforest Alliance espresso coffee. Our stand was designed and created by Uberco Ltd, a Keighley based company specialising in shopfitting and exhibition design.

Throughout the two days, we were offering espresso samples and demonstrations of the San Remo Verona , which is the 2012 UK Barista Championship Machine sponsor. We also had the sleek Roma on display at the front of our stand, which certainly attracted a lot of attention!

We were kept very busy throughout the two days, with interest from existing businesses, new starters, and a couple of major buyers, and we received fantastic feedback with regards our Rainforest Alliance blend. The Show bought many types of visitors, from restaurant owners, hoteliers, café proprietors, not to mention chefs, food and beverage buyers, bar staff and apprentices, so we enjoyed speaking to a wide range of potential customers.

Of course, now we hope some of those great conversations will translate into machine and coffee sales, and you will see the Casa Espresso brand spreading its wings further across the country.

If you came to visit us at the NRB Show this year, thank you so much for coming to our stand, and for making our first show experience a memorable one! We hope we can continue as many of these fledgling relationships as possible, and rest assured you will be hearing from us soon!

We would also like to thank Uberco Ltd for their fantastic assistance and service with the stand build, San Remo UK, Crem UK and the organisers of the NRB Show for providing such an enjoyable and useful event.

The Roma – Overview

The Roma is undoubtedly the Grandfather of the Sanremo family. Available in two and three group head size, the Roma is the Ferrari of the range. It has temperature control technology, enabling each group head to serve espresso at different temperatures, which helps reduce your energy consumption.

It has a self-cleaning programme, programmable on/off timer, manual safety circuit, adjustable feet… and the shape, bodywork and clean lines to rival any Italian sports car. This is Italian design, through and through.

Even better, if you really want to, you can customise the black and white bodywork with mood lighting and a wood finish.

This is suited to the passionate barista who wants a real showpiece for his or her café.

Power Supply

The two and three group head require single phase power.

Optional Extras

You can request a turbo steam wand for the Roma if you require it.

USP (Unique Selling Point)

Without a doubt, the selling point of this machine is its combination of TCS technology and its sleek, masculine design. No-one buys this machine to keep it out of sight, it MUST be displayed proudly, as the focal point of any coffee bar.

Compromise

After buying this machine, you won’t ever be happy to use another machine again. Also, its big. Really big. So you will need a lot of room for it.

Picture Credits
Thanks to Bottega Milanese, Leeds

The Workshop consisted of three main parts – a practical session on the official UKBC kit (a San Remo Verona and the Mahlkonig K30 grinders, kindly leant to us by Mahlkonig UK), a Q & A session with a certified UKBC Judge, plus an opportunity for the Baristas to chat with other competitors and share ideas.

In attendance were four experienced competitors (including several finalists) and four UKBC newcomers. The varying levels of experience produced a great learning environment, with all baristas benefiting from the day.

“We are really pleased with the turnout on the day,” Nino Di Rienzo, owner of Casa Espresso said. “We are proud to be supporting not only baristas competing this year, but also the baristas who are considering entering for the first time next year. We are hoping that by opening up our facility for competitors to train at, we can encourage the next potential UKBC winner – who will be from the North of England for a change!”

Casa Espresso are also hosting a UKBC Information Day for Baristas on the 10th February, for those who are considering entering next year and want to find out more. To book a slot on this day, please email Sadie @ casaespresso.co.uk.

The Day will consist of an introduction to the competition criteria and rules, by one of this year’s UKBC Judges, and will then be followed by a demonstration by an experienced UKBC semi-finalist, who will talk you though the whole competition session. You will also get the chance to try a couple of different competition level coffee blends and single origins.

At the end of the day, there will be an opportunity to have a practise pulling some shots from the Verona yourself, under the guidance of our baristas, and to chat to your fellow baristas.

A small contribution of £5 is politely requested, to cover a light lunch, which will be provided, and the cost of coffee and milk. To book a slot, please email sadie @ casaespresso.co.uk.

Hosted by Casa Espresso, suppliers of San Remo commercial espresso machines and speciality coffee, the Workshop will feature a Question and Answer session with a UK Barista Championship 2012-13 Sensory Judge, as well as valuable practice with previous competitors.

The aim of the Workshop is to provide an open day of information regarding the rules and aims of the competition, plus a chance to practise your drinks and get some valuable feedback from your coffee contemporaries.

• Judges’ Q & A of the official Scoresheet.
• Espresso and cappuccino discussion and practise.
• Signature drinks discussion and practise.
• Technical and set up advice and discussion.
• Opportunity to practise on the official UKBC machine and grinder.
• The ability to share knowledge and ideas with your fellow baristas.

If you attend, you may find it helpful to bring:

• Your own competition cups, milk pitchers and coffee(s).
• Your own grinder (if you are not using the K30).
• Signature drink ingredients, if you want to practise preparing this.

If you would like to attend the session, please be aware places are limited, so please contact us ASAP to book a spot. A small contribution of £5.00 per person to cover lunch and milk is politely requested, payable on the day.

If demand is significant, we may offer another workshop so if you would like to attend but are not available on this date, please email us and let us know.

Please also note if you would like to take part in the UKBC 2012, it’s not too late! You can enter up until 25th January.

Visit http://scaeuk.com/uk-barista-championship.php for more information and entry sheets.

To book a place, please email us at sadie @ casaespresso.co.uk.

• The Verona SED
• Verona TCS
• Verona Tall Cup

This Hotspot blog will consider how to choose which Verona is right for you, and how to customise it to suit your business.

Firstly, answer these quick questions:

Do you plan on using different espresso origins and blends?

Do you serve a lot of takeaway drinks?

Do you want to save energy?

Do you believe every shot has a “sweet spot”?

If you scored more than 3 YES – Verona TCS Tall Cup

You want to play around with different blends, origins and temperature, and make a cracking good shot in the process. You also want to run a commercially successful business, and make drinks quickly and profitably. Go for the Verona TCS Tall Cup, as then you can:

• Adjust your group head temperature by degrees to enable each origin/ blend you serve to be served at the perfect temperature
• Fit a takeaway cup or large mug straight under the group head
• Save up to 30% energy consumption.

If you scored more than 3 NO – Verona standard (SED)

You love the look and the style of the Verona, but will be serving just one house blend, so the temperature control isn’t as important to you as price. However, you still want all the features that a Verona has such as:

• The self cleaning function
• The 50s style and shape
• The option to choose from Pearl White, Light Blue, Red, Metallic Black or Metallic Blue

If you scored more than 3 MAYBE – Verona TCS

Pick the Verona TCS, for temperature controlled group heads that can be adjusted if you decide to add different blends or origins in the future. You appreciate that different origins require different temperatures, but may not be ready to do this yet. In the meantime, practise on your existing coffee, and taste the difference!

The Verona – Overview

The focus of the Verona is style and substance. Each basic (SED) model has a pre-brew function, manual doser, self-clean function, on board diagnostics, shot timer, adjustable feet and cup warmer as standard.

The TCS model has the added advantage of having individually controllable groupheads as well. Each model is available in standard or Tall Cup, and in one, two, three and four group heads.

This is an ideal machine for a busy coffee shop, focusing on quality of coffee, the art of the barista, and the speed and accuracy of the service.
For any other environment, its just showing off. But in the fashionable world of coffee, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, whatsoever.

Power Supply

The Verona SED can be ordered on a 13 amp socket, but generally both the SED and the TCS will require single phase electricity.

Optional Extras

The Verona TCS Tall or standard can be fitted with a turbo automatic steam wand, ideal for high volume environments where staff may not be completely confident with milk texturing, or where staff are doing several things at once! (However, the Verona SED does not have this option).

USP (Unique Selling Point)

Its utter, indescribable beauty! The gentle curves and streamlined, 1950s Italian design have baristas the world over falling for its charms. This, matched with its intelligent features and focus on creating the perfect espresso made it a no brainer to be the official machine of the UKBC from 2009-2011.
You can even set it to come on and switch off at certain times of the day, ideal if you have forgetful staff.

Compromises

The price – this machine is not the cheapest, but it is worth every single penny in the right environment. Its also pretty big – so make sure you have checked it will fit on your counter!

Picture Credits

Thanks to The Perky Peacock, York
Thanks to Little Greek Pie, London
Thanks to Scoops, Saltaire.

What’s in it for me?

• A cool coffee related prize
• Increased exposure for your blog
• A chance to connect with other bloggers and coffee lovers
• We’ll tweet and share your article giving your blog added exposure
• Your entry will be promoted on our own blog
• Did we mention a cool coffee prize?

What exactly do I win?

• 1st Prize: A full Barista Kit so you can create perfect coffee everytime. Includes a stylish hand tamper, a high quality foaming jug, a set of espresso cups, accessories and two full bags of Casa Espresso Rainforest Alliance Coffee.
• 2nd Prize: Two bags of Casa Espresso Rainforest Alliance Coffee
• 3rd Prize: One bag of Casa Espresso Rainforest Alliance Coffee

How do I enter?

• To enter you simply have to write a blog post that’s coffee related, it can be on your own blog, or a guest post another blog, all that matters is that it’s related to coffee. So it can be anything from why you love it, how you first discovered a taste for it, how to make the perfect cup, how you see coffee developing in the future. As long as it’s coffee related, you’ll be fine!

What are the rules?

• All content must be your own and not reproduced from elsewhere
• There’s no word count as such, but needless to say a paragraph isn’t going to suffice, but at the same time, don’t write a book!
• The post has to contain a link back to the Casa Espresso site. View a selection of links here
• Please email us a link to your blog post once it’s published to competition@casaespresso.co.uk
• Closing date for entries is 20th December 2011, winner’s will be announced on the 21st and prizes sent out to arrive just in time for Christmas!
• Entries must be from the UK and Ireland

How do I win?

• Your contest submission will be judged first and foremost the quality and style of the content, if it’s written with a serious passion for coffee then it stands a very good chance.
• We’ll also place weight on the number of comments you receive and how your content is shared through social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter – this could help us sway one way or the other in the event of a really tough decision.

What are you waiting for? Make yourself a cup of coffee and get writing!

If you’d like any additional info or have any questions, drop a comment below or email us on the above address.