‘Ethical’ coffee shop brand eyes East Midlands expansion

Upmarket coffee chain Esquires is looking at opening several East Midlands venues, it has emerged.

Esquires describes itself as the “ethical coffee chain with a community spirit” and has just opened its 66th shop in Newbury, Berkshire.

Now, the brand is looking to expand into Buxton, Chesterfield, Market Harborough and Nottingham.

Esquires told hospitality trade title Propel: “Amidst economic challenges, the UK’s branded coffee market has demonstrated remarkable resilience, surpassing the 10,000-outlet milestone. The estimated value of branded coffee shop outlets has soared to £5.3bn, a 9.2% increase, with sales exceeding £5.7bn, up 10.7%.

“Our regional developer system allows us to strategically choose our locations by leveraging local insights and partnering with passionate franchisees who share our ethos and values. With ethical coffee credentials rising by 11.6% since last year, there is a clear and growing preference among consumers for responsibly and ethically sourced coffee.

“We are excited about our ongoing expansion and look forward to opening more locations across the country, continuing our commitment to quality and sustainability.”