Hot Shots

The independent coffee scene in the UK is booming – let us introduce you to those leading the roasting revolution

- Mark Taylor

JAMIE BOLAND ANCOATS COFFEE CO, MANCHESTER

“The ultimate dream for me was always to have a roastery and café rolled into one,” says Jamie Boland (above right), owner of Manchester’s Ancoats Coffee Co. “It made lots of sense to expose as many people as possible to the process of roasting – it’s a fascinating thing to see.” 

Housed in a former cotton mill, Ancoats Coffee Co has quickly established itself as one of the go-to places for coffee in the north-west. Boland first experienced great coffee when he was sleeping on a friend’s sofa in Melbourne, where he found work as a barista. “When I eventually came back to Manchester, it was a bit of a shock as I was used to having awesome coffee on every street corner, but I struggled to find a decent coffee anywhere. That’s when I decided to set up a business, with the aim of bringing some of the Australian coffee culture back to Manchester.” 

Set against the bare brick walls and iron pillars of the Royal Mills, try the appropriately named Warehouse City seasonal espresso roasted in small batches in the café itself. ancoats-coffee.co.uk

LISA LAWSON DEAR GREEN, GLASGOW