A new Coffee Rebublic opened in Malta??

28th January 2008

It is rumoured that there are now two CR outlets in Malta, one in the airport and one in Valletta, the capital. T.B.C.

CR opens in Manchester!

28th January 2009

The first Coffee Republic Franchise of 2009 has opened in Manchester. The store is situated in the busy shopping area of Oldham Street. Franchisee Jason McGuire will be on site to welcome you.

CR lands in Saudi Arabia!

28th January 2009

CR's first bar in Saudi Arabia has opened this week, in the Attallah Commercial Centre in Jeddah. The Grand Opening is scheduled for February 3, when the British ambassador of Saudi Arabia and mayor of Jeddah are to be in attendance.

Steven Bartlett's interview with Coffee House Magazine

20th January 2009

The following feature appeared in Issue 34 of Coffee House Magazine and was written after Steven Bartlett's presentation to the Beverage Service Association. For more information about Coffee House Magazine please click on the following link...

www.coffee-house.org.uk

CR opens in Camberley

17th January 2009
Source; http://www.propertymall.com/press/article/21017

Fast-expanding UK chain Coffee Republic is continuing to roll-out its distinctive brand with a new unit in Camberley, Surrey.

The coffee house chain has taken the New Mall Café in Main Square, Camberley Shopping Centre, on a new 10-year lease at a rental of £57,500 pa, with five-yearly rent reviews. The unit totals 1,200 sq ft and is prominently located in the shopping centre, owned by The Mall Corporation.

King Sturge represented Coffee Republic; Savills acted for Mourant & Co Trustees c/o The Mall Corporation.

Pubs in deal with Coffee Republic

1st January 2009

Source; http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/homenews/Pub-People-deal-Coffee-Republic/article-576784-detail/article.html

A PUB company that owns sites across Notts has taken the battle to the coffee bars by signing a deal with the Coffee Republic chain.

The Pub People Company will turn part of The Gatehouse on Upper Parliament Street into a branded area serving cappucinos and lattes rather than cask ales and lagers.

It hopes to hook in city centre customers who would otherwise walk past and head for a branch of Starbucks or Costa Coffee.

The deal could also make a difference to profits in an industry that has been hit hard by a drop-off in drinkers – the profit margin on a cup of coffee is 75% compared to 45% on a pint of beer.

Andrew Crawford is the operations director of The Pub People Company, which is based at South Normanton.

He said the trial at The Gatehouse could lead to roll out of the coffee shop concession into other pubs in the group provided they were in the right kind of site.

"Coffee in pubs has always worked reasonably well, but with the proliferation of branded coffee shops on the high street it hasn't really met customer expectations," he said.

"The Gatehouse is in an area with very high footfall and not so far away from branches of Starbucks and Costa Coffee.

"The pub already attracts a large number of office workers and shoppers for its local cask ales and lunchtime food.

"The endorsement of a strong coffee brand will strengthen the overall offer and fits perfectly with the current decor and furniture style, including the continental style covered outside drinking area."

The initiative comes at a tough time for the pub industry, which has been hit hard by stay-at-home drinkers.

"It's never been as hard as it is now," said Mr Crawford. "Our sales have actually held up very well over Christmas. The problems are more to do with the costs of complying with legislation and pressure on profit margins.

"This could well bring in another type of customer and lead to us extending our hours by opening earlier. It's also an area where the smoking ban will work in our favour."

He added: "From a business perspective the profit opportunity is also attractive.

"The investment is relatively low, the labour is already on site and the gross profit margin on coffee is high at over 75% whereas draught beer at the Gatehouse is only 45%.

"Consequently with a relatively small increase in coffee sales the impact on the bottom line overall is excellent and will strengthen the pub operating profit and loss account."

Mr Crawford said the move was one of a number of innovations being considered by Pub People.

"Pubs have evolved from what they used to be, they will continue to do so and this is one part of that," he said. "We are looking at different parts of our pubs to see where we can bring in new income streams."