Guest 842- Registered: 11 Dec 2012
- Posts: 28
#1
Hi Guys,
I am currently in the process of setting up funding backing to open two coffee shops/cafes in East Kent in late 2013 and early 2014. One is already confirmed for Westwood X, Thanet, in a unit when the current tenant vacates in July/August 2013 and the other I am looking at the former Evans unit in the high street. We are a business that is matching the experience and quality of costa-like chains, but at a realistic price. I would want to hear from anyone who feels Dover could benefit from or not benefit from another coffee shop, all comments willbe considered and very helpful obviously.
Charlotte Harrison
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#2
Whilst not wishing to dampen anything Dover does have a lot of coffee shops, that's not to say your venture should not happen.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#3
...ah yes Keith, but does Dover have it's own RBucks?
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#4
i would like to see a decent coffee shop in town,costa and others in simular vien are taking the michal to put it mildly.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#5
I quite like Costa coffee from a taste point of view, but our favourite coffee shop is still La Salle Verte (the Green Room as was) in Cannon Street, the food is good too.
As Keith S has stated Charlotte, there are quite a number of coffee shops here, but all are (or seem to be) doing well and actually offer something different, so there is room for yours, if it offers something new.
There are less closed shops than most other (including coastal) Towns and Dover has just been given £1 million to help move it forward; there are also planning enforcement notices being issued by the Local Authority to have the scruffy buildings done up and we have seen improvements already, so by the time you open your business here, the Town will already be looking smarter than it does now.
Good Luck with it.
Roger
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#6
Just four words from myself Do not do it.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#7
That's a good way to encourage new businesses here Vic.
I have given good reasons why Charlotte should open here; you sound like those politicians who sent MacArthur-Glen away.
Roger
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#8
The evidence from Eva's is that given the right offering there is a gap in the market that will allow you to prosper
Dover needs somehwere that sells quality coffee at a decent price
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#9
Best wishes to you Charlotte. I am sure you have done your homework.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#10
Good luck Charlotte
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Andy B
- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,829
#11
If you are considering the High st i would think of how far you are from Evas cafe at the start of London rd as she seems to get the majority of the trade in the area.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#12
At the southern end there is also a heavy concentration of quality coffee: C'est La Vie, Salle Verte and Dickens Corner. Costa sells overpriced, overhyped crap but people still go because of the brand created by their spending zillions on advertising. At least, being a Whitbread company, they pay their UK taxes.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#13
it will be hard as the high street has a fair number of differing coffee shops but hey if another can survive go for it
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
#14
Good points Peter, especially the tax!
Vic, that has to be the most negative, useless piece of advice ever given. What on earth do you know about the hospitality trade...I bet you don't even drink coffee!
Costa sell awful coffee, the takeaway cups are often overfilled and the general experience in the place is that of a soulless airport lounge void. I steer clear of chains wherever I can. What is the point of going anywhere if the space is recreated everywhere. It's like the people that visit a new place and go to Wetherspoons for lunch - the pubs that have the even less atmosphere than fenestration. (in this instance I would quote Vic's '4 words')
The problem is that very few places in Dover (and Deal) open early enough to supply the mass of local commuters (7:30/8 on their way to local employement (me)). We have the train stations, Platform 1 in Deal being a great model for what should be going on, but to grab an early morning coffee in Dover is a tough task. McDonalds is unfortunately the best early morning option in terms of quality. All those mentioned above do not open early enough or are trapped by the semi-pedestrianised high street.
A venture that provides good quality coffee, that is accessible to local people on the way to work would be a great success. We do have plethora of coffee/tea shops but all seem to do well, each offering something slightly different.
I like La Salle Verte, particularly the rather tasteful shop front.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#15
DT1 I don;t often disagree with you, but Costa coffee is good and they are normally always packed,
But I use most of the outlets it's realy about what you prefer
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#16
dt1,i would disagree to one part of your post,having tried both mcdonalds and costas coffee,i prefer costas hands down to the former mcd's.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
#17
Just because they are always packed doesn't mean the coffee is any good.
...and by that reasoning, as McDonalds sell more coffee than any other outlet, they must be better!?
I don't think McDonalds coffee is really good, just better than Costa, who I'm sure just use ground mud.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#18
I hate macdonalds coffee
but then its a choice thing
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
#19
I hate McDonalds, but then this is a taste thing
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#20
Costa is better coffee than many others.... I do prefer more 'local' coffee shops though, rather than the big chains.