A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE COMPANY

As one year draws slowly to a close an exciting and busier New Year opens, and with it yet again will come the start of a whole new chapter for Urban Espresso.

In January 2009 you will see the launch of the new Urban Espresso identity that will take its influence from the current face that everyone has been so used to for the past 3 years, to what you see now. Obviously we don’t want to give too much away, but we thought it would be good to share with our customers, friends and colleagues a little sneak preview of the great things to come.

Over the past 4 months we have been working extremely hard with our newly appointed design agency 375, in coming up with a new face and strategy that will take our business onto the next leg of our journey, and with it we hope an increased level of success.

With the new Ue identity, there will also come an increased range of new Ue branded items to compliment an already extensive portfolio with items such as, Ue branded eco friendly disposables, crockery, point of sale, barista uniforms , fixed and micro retail concepts and you will soon start to see our new coffee packaging filtering its way into the system over the coming weeks.

We hope you are as exciting as we are with the new face, and we look forward to hearing from you with your own comments over the coming weeks and months.

Ue VENTURES INTO THE LUXURY HOTEL MARKET

If you’ve been keeping a close eye on our recent updates, you would have read about one of our latest new contract wins for Urban Espresso with Crowne Plaza Hotels and in particular the Birmingham city centre location that has just undergone a £18m refurbishment.

You may be wondering why Urban Espresso have ventured into the luxury hotel market... well its quite simple.

Initially when we were approached by Crowne Plaza to take a look at their refreshments offer in their corporate meeting rooms and conferencing areas. It was clear that they needed help with their offer throughout the business and not just in the meetings rooms.

When talking to the management team it was obvious that they had a requirement and a desire to make improvements to their coffee menu, enabling them to take the standard of their offer to the next level.

After using Starbucks and Matthew Algies for a good number of years, all of us at Urban Espresso relished the opportunity to pull together or combined experience in putting together a strategy and menu that would enable the hotel to offer their guests a coffee service that would set them apart from any other hotel chain in their local area and further afield.

As well as a change in attitude for the hotel management, we have made a major change in how traditional coffees and teas have been typically served. This was only possible by way of Urban Espresso’s intensive barista training program, which required us to spend a considerable amount of time in training all there managers, supervisors and staff in understanding and coming to appreciate the benefits and rich rewards associated with customer satisfaction and increased sales through the implimentation of such an offer.

With this new menu came about a new and innovative approach and innovative drinks such as the UK’s very first Espresso Gourmand where launched, along with a selection of after dinner espresso martinis and the introduction of the newly packaged London Tea boutique silk pyramid second flush tea range, all of which have been exclusively brought to Crowne Plaza Hotels by Urban Espresso.

AVANTA BUCK THE FRESH COFFEE TREND

Avanta Managed Offices Limited, one of the fastest growing serviced office providers with locations in all major cities throughout the UK, have bucked the trend by introducing fresh speciality coffee to their clients at their head offices in Hammersmith.

Avanta called upon the help of Urban Espresso to look at coming up with a fully integrated solution that would make it possible for the site to offer a self-service fresh specialty coffee menu, that enabled their clients to enjoy their favourite drink by a simple touch of a button.

Since the new system went in at the end of September it has been a total success and a big hit with all their clients, to such a degree that Avanta are now looking at ways to introduce the same offering to a number of their other locations throughout London.

NEW CONTRACT WINS

What with all the doom and gloom currently in the market, its great when you hear that companies are still doing well even after all the odds. Well that’s exactly what Urban Espresso have been experiencing in the past few months.

With our continued determination to bring great coffee to all, we are extremely proud to announce that we have successfully won a number of contracts to supply a number a high profile companies with both coffee, systems and consumables.

Names such as Crowne Plaza Hotels, RTKL, Westfield, Interact and Chapman Taylor are some of the new clients that have been added in recent weeks to an already impressive and ever increasing customer base that is serviced by Urban Espresso nationally.

Look out for further news in regards to Crowne Plaza Hotels over the coming weeks, as Urban Espresso are introducing a new branded beverage concept that will bring a whole new meaning to coffee and tea in 4 star conferencing and luxury.

UNQUESTIONABLE ETHICS

We genuinely believe that as a company we have a responsibility today and in the future, to do whatever is humanly possible to adopt ethical practises that will benefit our farmers today, as well as sustainable policies that will benefit both the environment and future generations.

Its not by chance then that each and everyone of our coffee, tea, hot chocolate and sugar product lines are certified as being 100% Fairtrade.

Wherever possible we source from both sustainable and organic origins through our work with the Rainforest Alliance and Soil Association, and this is evident in both our coffee and tea lines currently. With ongoing product development these products are set to grow in our range.

We are also mindful that as a company if we work with our suppliers, we can positively reduce the impact we have on the environment by sourcing locally wherever possible and reducing and only using recyclable materials in our packaging. This is visible as Urban Espresso’s entire disposable product range comes from a sustainable source as well as being 100% biodegradable after it has been used.

Our commitment to only trading in a responsible manner, is further demonstrated through our work with the Coffee Kids Charity. We donate 2% of all our company profits generated through the sale of all our fresh coffee lines, which in turn goes to help the lives of many children in poorer coffee producing countries.

SELF-SERVICE OFFICE COFFEE CONCEPTS

At Urban Espresso it is our mission to change the culture and the way coffee is enjoyed in the office, and we believe that the working environment where you drink your coffee is just as much of importance as the coffee itself.

We work directly with an award winning team of designers who have a wealth of understanding and experience when it comes to the trends of retailing coffee on the high street. We take this experience and combine it with practical know how to create innovative design led break out areas and coffee points for the modern office. Each concept is bespoke to the working space and the environment that it is intended to work within.

Throughout the design stage a great deal of consideration is given to the operational requirements and the materials to be used. We are also able to advise on the best hard and soft furniture options to work with the concept, as well as giving thought to the wall and floor decor and lighting adjacent to where the concept will be housed.

To request a free site survey or to discuss your requirements in little more detail, why not speak to a member of our corporate sales team where they will be able to best advise on what the best approach would be for you and your business.

BEAN TO CUPS MAKE OFFICE COFFEE CHILDS PLAY

When it comes to producing great tasting coffee consistently time after time all at the touch of a button, it’s through experience and years of vigorous testing that we have chosen to work with ‘WMF’ as our preferred brand of bean to cup coffee making equipment. This brand of equipment takes full advantage of the very latest German coffee making technology, producing systems that are comfortably suited to cater from 50 cups per day up to 220 cups per hour... Perfect for the smallest to the largest of offices.

WMF is recognised as the number one brand for professional bean to cup coffee systems internationally, with just over 6200 systems in the UK alone... Engineered in a way that offers the very latest design, hassle free reliability and craftsmanship.Every model is designed for simple self-service applications, as well as being perfectly suited for use in staff operated environments.

The touch pad or sensor controls, making it child's play when selecting your favourite drink at coffee time.The endless options of inbuilt features offer fully automatic drink production, with coffee beans being ground and fresh milk being foamed all at the touch of a button.

These high capacity units are capable of producing creamy hot lattes in just under 15 -20 seconds for a 12oz drink as against 35 - 40 seconds for smaller, cheaper and inferior brands of equipment on the market.Features such as illuminated facia's, non plumbed and plumbed options, with or without inbuilt hot chocolate are simple features that come as standard were more demanding capabilities such as integrated cashless smart card or cash payment systems are all taken care of, making WMF the perfect solution for every business or office location.

Our corporate systems specialists will be only too happy to assist you in finding the perfect solution for you and your businesses needs today and for the future.

OUR NEW TEA COMES WITH ATTITUDE

So many times have I seen our competitors get it wrong, when it comes to the preference of tea that they have chosen to work with. They forget that we are still in a nation of tea drinkers, even though it seems as if they have been swamped by all us coffee lovers. Not with standing that, tea deserves just as much respect as any other hot drink and I would be the first to hold my hands up and say I like a great cuppa tea just as much as my own coffee.

Its not by chance then that in recent years, tea has started to make a come back and with repeated publicity over the health benefits its no surprise that we have seen new and innovative tea brands springing up and emerging on the market.

One of those brands woudl be 'The London Tea Company', it's a company that we have fallen in love with, as they answered all our prayers when it comes to having a premium tea solution that is simply out of this world.

Not only have they put together a range of premium second flush teas together of the highest possible quality, they have created a branded product that is packaged in a particular way that forces you to just want to pick it up and try. Combining this with teas that have been carefully cultivated, hand picked and sourced from certified 100% ethical and sustainable plantations, its no mistake then that they have even used biodegradable packaging that gives this brand, a true feel good factor.

As newly appointed national distributors for the new tea brand, we are all really excited that we too can share in the future grow and success of this great brand and welcome all you tea drinkers out there to try it.

Give us a call today to request your free sample and we will be only to happy to answer any questions that you may have on this exciting new range.

Available from the end of September 2008.

WE TAKE OUR HERITAGE & COFFEE SERIOUSLY

At Urban Espresso we take great pride in our heritage, that’s why all of our coffees are still to this day hand roasted on a 80 year old traditional Probat coffee roaster that has been passed down through two generations, using our very own secret recipes that have been masterfully created over the years.

Our passion for only producing great coffee, is underlined by our commitment to only working with the worlds finest high plantation grade A shade grown Arabica coffee beans, earning us the reputation for producing some of the best quality espressos and filter coffees available in the marketplace.

Each and everyone of our coffees would not be the same if it was not for the fact that we roast our coffee in small batches daily, and then pack straight away in foil sealed bags using the very latest technology that locks in the freshness. By doing this we not only guarantee optimum quality when your coffee order arrives, but we are making sure that we capture every bit of goodness so that your coffee experience is only every going to be a pleasurable one.

Our extensive range not only covers a large selection of espresso whole beans, but we are also able to cater for locations looking for a broad and varied selection of both ground filter coffee and le cafetiere single portion packs.

So whatever your requirements or coffee preference may be, Urban Espresso is best placed to serve your needs when it comes to peace of mind and great coffee in the office.

TAKING THE PAIN OUT OF MEETING ROOM COFFEE

Our office coffee service would be incomplete if it was not for our large selection of professional Marco thermos infusion shuttle coffee brewers, renowned for there robustness and coffee brewing technology.

Each and everyone of the shuttle infusion brewers make full use of the patented ground coffee extraction technology, so that you only ever get the goodness out of your ground coffee, leaving you to enjoy hot great tasting coffee all day long.

The brewing systems enable the freshly filtered coffee to be dispensed directly into a combination of thermos servers and pump action airpots, all of which maintain both the freshness and temperature of your coffee for up to 4 hours at a time, so gone are the days when coffee had to sit stewing away on a hot plate.

Fully automatic brewing at the touch of a button, allowing for 1.9 – 6 litres of fresh filter coffee in just under 6 minutes, and hot water on tap for those tea drinkers eliminating the need for separate hot water making facilities.
By using the thermos dispensers and airpots, it offers you with the convenience of being able to easily prepare your hot drinks well in advance of any meeting, as well having a refreshment solution that allows your hot drinks to be easily transportable without any hassle or mess.

Urban Espresso and personalised branding with any company message can be applied to any thermos dispenser or server, and we would be more than happy to talk through with you any requirements that you may have in this regard.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Urban Espresso Ltd was established early in November 2005 by a team of leading coffee specialists, calling upon 45 years of combined coffee, retailing and roasting experience.The business was the brainchild of Dominic Boyett the company’s current Managing Director and founder.

After spending 17 years in the branded coffee sector, Dominic recognised and could see that there was a growing demand to bring the convenience of the high street into the workplace, when it came to enjoying great coffee in the comfort of the office.It’s not by chance then that Urban Espresso works exclusively within the corporate marketplace, and we are rapidly becoming recognised as the leading coffee at work experts throughout the UK, providing great ethical and sustainable coffee, leading systems and technology as well as branded self-service and operated coffee bar concepts.

It doesn't just end there, as each and every one of our coffee blends are roasted right back at Dominic’s grass roots and where he started out in the industry, at the Urban Espressos Glasgow based coffee roastery.

It’s our capabilities and years of experience from every aspect of the coffee industry, that will enable us to take total care of your entire refreshment needs whether it is the sugar to go into your coffee, through to supplying designer coffee jugs and crockery being used in your meeting rooms. All of which is being fully backed up, with the assurance of knowing that you are being looked after on a daily basis by a company that cares and is passionate about only one thing... 'Great coffee in your workplace, and working with people who appreciate and enjoy great coffee too'...

BRING BACK THE ESPRESSO CART

The demand for better quality coffee in the workplace has never been greater and this is set to grow even further, according to the recent 2008 Allegra Coffee at Work report. In this report it is documented as saying, "There are currently 24 million office workers in the UK, currently suffering awful refreshments in their place of work".

This report is also backed up by a recent article that was published by Edinburgh University into research that they had carried out, that proved for every 50 employees in a city office location, the employer would be loosing on average £85,000 per annum in downtime with staff leaving the office on coffee runs to the local high street coffee bar.

With this information now in the public domain employers at long last have started to take note of these facts, and they are now starting to look at ways to address this problem. When they look at this more closely they have started to realise that they too could potentially cash in on the benefits, of being able to bring the convenience of a simplified high street coffee offer into their workplace. By introducing compact cost effective solutions such as the mobile coffee cart, and located them in large public or open areas such as reception or large foyers they have been able to see first hand the rich rewards of both employee satisfaction and improved productivity, but also a new income street with great profits.

Recent examples of an average sized building with 150 staff or more, serving 200 coffees per day at £1.50 per cup for a 12oz latte, (grande) are able to enjoy profits in the region of £54K per annum after costs. (5 day week) This profit excludes any margin generated from the sales of any additional impulse, sweet or snack lines that accompany the sale of the coffee.

Urban Espresso have two mobile fully contained coffee cart solutions available, ranging from as little as 1.3 - 1.8 in length and come complete with all the professional equipment, branding and point of sale required to operate and merchandise an in house speciality retail coffee offer.

Initial and ongoing, staff training is offered to locations who have there own staff, or alternatively we are also able to offer clients a fully managed and operated service contract for business locations where they do not want to take over the day to day running of the coffee cart.