Finance package enables coffee shop to double business levels

An independent coffee shop near Chester has doubled the size of its business less than a year after opening.

It follows demand for the healthy brunch menu and artisan Australian-inspired coffee at the Hoole shop.

Short + Stout, on Ermine Street, has completed a three-month renovation of its existing basement space to create an additional downstairs dining area which can accommodate up to 16 covers.

The business was founded just eight months ago after owners Will and Sarah Noden secured a £90,000 refinancing package from NatWest, to help turn their dream of owning their own coffee shop into a reality.

Sarah and Will met while travelling in Australia, with both spending time working as baristas during their eight years overseas.

Inspired by the quality and craftmanship behind Australian coffee, they wanted to replicate this back in the UK and earmarked Chester as the perfect location for their new business.

After returning to the UK in 2015, the pair spent three years saving to invest in the business, living with Will’s parents and even asking wedding guests to donate towards coffee shop equipment instead of gifts when they married two years ago.

Short + Stout opened in June 2018 serving speciality coffee, loose leaf teas, brunch and homemade cakes. Sarah manages the business full time, with Will, who is a builder by trade, covering weekend shifts.

The additional basement space officially opened this week and will create an additional three jobs over the next three months, adding to the team of eight full and part-time staff.

Sarah said: “Will and I have been blown away by the popularity of Short + Stout and after having to turn customers away as we didn’t have enough tables, we knew we needed to invest in more space.

“Our basement renovation will allow us to serve more guests and offer a more enjoyable customer experience.”

The deal was referred via Empire Commercial Finance to NatWest relationship manager Johanna Holehouse.

Johanna said: “Sarah and Will’s passion to make their business a success is evident, and they have a strong, yet realistic business plan.

“The funding we have provided has helped them realise their ambition of owning and running a coffee shop.”