Coffee#1 /

Gazing over the brim of a cappuccino in Coffee#1, we marvel at the array of social activity within one little store… there are people working, gossiping, engrossed in books, or lost in a head full of thoughts. It‘s a fantastic environment to observe the multi-faceted nature of the human species!

For some it’s just about grabbing a favourite take-out tipple whilst on-the-go… but for many others, a coffee house is much more…

The coffee house has been recognised as a ‘third place’. A Third Place is described by Ray Oldenburg, in his book ‘The Great Good Place‘, as a public place on neutral ground where people can gather and interact. They allow people to put aside their concerns and simply enjoy the company and conversation around them.

Coffee has historically held a hidden key to social unity, bringing all ages and echelons of society together. Across borders, languages, class and cultures, the coffee house functions in the same way it has done for centuries – as an informal and accessible domain of the public sphere in which news, gossip, business ideas and politics can be exchanged.

The coffee house phenomenon has helped us bridge the boundaries of our reserved British nature. It has given us the opportunity to recognise the ‘small world nature of society’ , in which ‘any pair of individuals can be connected via a surprisingly small degree of separation’ . We can chat openly, and even make friends with complete strangers!

Notice boards provide a free and democratic forum for independent traders or public events and announcements supporting initiatives within the local community.

Community spaces are becoming increasingly important in the internet age. Whilst coffee seems to give rise to increased social interaction, the growth of Wi-Fi is having the opposite effect, cocooning laptop users in separate worlds – reducing public participation.

Here at Coffee#1, we challenge ourselves to create a place where there is no compromise between great coffee and a thriving social environment. Our love of the wonderful bean brings us all together and we do our best to cultivate and nurture a welcoming environment and sociable spirit that makes sipping your favourite drink at Coffee #1 a wonderful ‘third place’ experience every time you visit!