Expansion for The Island Tea and Coffee Co.

Established in 1982, Isle of Wight based the Island Tea and Coffee Co. have recently invested more than £100,000 in a state-of-the-art Coffee Roasting and Training Centre. A move that opens up two new job opportunities to not only meet increased demand for their locally roasted coffee but expand their Barista Training Courses and Roasting Experience Sessions.

The new facility provides two state-of-the-art roasting rooms, one of which houses the latest all electric coffee roaster, which was supported by a LoCASE Grant to focus on growing a low carbon economy. Adding to this is the fact that the new roaster is powered from the 77 solar panels already installed on the roof of the companies’ offices, production and warehouse complex. These same panels also charge their all-electric vans that deliver freshly roasted coffee to hundreds of customers across the Isle of Wight and South Coast, with International orders through their online store. With all coffee beans Fairtrade sourced The Island Tea and Coffee Co. are able to now provide an ethical and environmentally supporting product from bean to cup.

Jon Carter, managing director said: "Our customers are increasingly looking for a high quality, reliable, local source for freshly roasted coffee but one that truly cares for the environment. This investment reflects our commitment to providing exactly that.”

Alongside the twin roast rooms is a dedicated training and demonstration area, allowing the company to provide Roast Experience sessions through to full Barista Training using the latest automatic and barista machines. Enabling the company to demonstrate the full range of machines available for purchase and rental and provide the important training needed for cafés, hotels and restaurants across to serve a great cup of coffee every time. Something also increasingly sought after by those at home wanting to know more about the coffee journey, roasting and how to get the best from their barista machines at home or in the office.

Two new jobs will be created through this investment, with the two roasting rooms having the capability to produce 200,000 1Kg bags of roasted coffee each year, enough to provide 28,571,428 shots of espresso.

The popularity of coffee has grown over recent years, reflected in the many coffee shops lining high streets but also within pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels and other businesses across the UK. The single origin Arabica beans that The Island Tea & Coffe

e Co. bring in from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Congo and India have proven very popular. So much so that you can now find their locally roasted beans being served in an increasing number of restaurants, bars, hotels and clubs and in selected Morrisons stores, in addition to being able to buy 200g through to 1 kilo bags online through the shop on their website at islandteaandcoffee.co.uk

Main image: Master roaster Mike Townsend preparing the new all electric coffee roaster in one of the two state-of the-art roasting rooms at The Island Tea and Coffee Co.

Inset one: Jon Carter with some of the extensive range of coffee machines in the new demonstration area at The Island Tea and Coffee Co.

Inset two: Barista Training Courses and Roast Experience Sessions enable everyone to get the most from their coffee machines and understand the journey from bean to cup