Independent coffee roaster, 200 Degrees is opening a coffee shop and barista school in the heart of Chester in May.
Located on Bridge Street, in one of the under-croft stores below the iconic Grosvenor Shopping centre, the Grade II listed premises, previously a Patisserie Valerie, will seat around 90 customers and feature the roaster’s signature interior design, such as its classic fireplace and cosy armchairs.
The coffee shop will be 200 Degrees’ 19th UK venue and its third in the Northwest - with shops in Liverpool and Manchester.
Customers can expect 200 Degrees’ own, sustainably sourced, freshly roasted coffee, selection of deli ciabattas, toasties and soups, as well as cakes and pastries. Hot chocolate, a selection of teas, smoothies and milkshakes will also be available.
For those wanting to learn how to make a really good cup of coffee, the Chester shop will feature a barista school, offering a range of courses from simple home brew methods to advanced barista techniques; a great experience for anyone wanting to learn more about coffee.
Stephen Fern, managing director, shared, “Chester is an incredible city with heritage and culture in abundance, and if it’s good enough for Hollyoaks, then it’s good enough for us!
“It’s really exciting that we’re also bringing one of our Barista Schools to Chester, which are incredibly popular in the six other cities they’re in. This is the place for coffee enthusiasts and professionals alike to enjoy fun, hands-on courses on how to make a truly great coffee.'
Stephen continued, “We also offer team building sessions for groups to learn and have fun together, but whether in a group or on your own, our aim is to always create a unique and memorable learning experience.
“We are lucky to be in a stunning building and while we will be incorporating our 200 Degrees look and feel, we always honour the history and the quirks of the buildings we move into.'
The new site will create 15 new full-time and part-jobs. Stephen ended, “We’re already on the lookout for enthusiast baristas to be part of the team so we can bring something special to the local community.”
With a shared passion to create the best quality coffee, Rob Darby and Tom Vincent founded 200 Degrees in 2012, after setting up its roastery in Nottingham. Since then, they have expanded its footprint across England and Wales, and partnered with a number of good causes doing great work in the communities it operates in.