New Northampton social enterprise coffee shop already helping vulnerable members of the community to open next year

A couple who are dedicated to helping others are set to open a social enterprise coffee shop in Northampton next year.

Named Saints Coffee, the shop was supposed to open this year, however due to the coronavirus pandemic the company has launched online, with a plan to open the location in early 2021.

Ben Francoise, who grew up in Far Cotton before moving away for university, and his partner Nicola Butler, moved back from Hong Kong last year specifically to open the new business.

The couple intend to serve the people of Northampton with high quality, sustainable coffee and will then pump a proportion of the profit back into their social impact work.

Ben, who used to work in finance and management, said: “Growing up in Northampton, I used to think it was the bees’ knees, but now it seems to be doom and gloom around the town centre.

“So I wanted to bring something into the town that would help, rather than complaining.

“I wanted to figure out how I could help people get out of the cycle of homelessness, which I have been talking to the Hope Centre about.

“I have also been working with schools on projects to help disadvantaged children reach university.”

Another key factor around opening the coffee shop is to help support social justice and anti-discrimination, which Ben says will be easier when they have a venue.

Once the shop opens, there are plans to hold sessions for lonely people who need a social space, as well as providing access to experts for migrants and supporting mental health organisations.

Although there is a strong focus on the social impact aspect of the company, the coffee and business sides are just as important for the couple.

Ben added: “For quite a few social enterprises, there is a misconception that it is more charity than business, but we are more business.

“We will then put some of the profits back into charities. To start with it will be 25 percent, but that will grow.

“We will also help through the business too. We want to employ people in vulnerable groups and run groups from the shop with free coffee.”

The coffee, which will be served in the shop, has taken months to perfect.

Ben and Nicola first started visiting coffee farms and roasters when they were in South America, Africa and Asia to hone their knowledge.

Once back in the UK, the pair worked with roasting companies that are also social enterprises, to bring a ‘high quality, expertly crafted and ethical specialty coffee’ to Northampton.

Due to the pandemic, the coffee has had to be launched online and the company has also launched on social media, rather than in-shop as originally planned.

“The reception so far has been fantastic. We’ve had brilliant support from local people and local businesses,” Ben continued.

“The community is definitely there and I would like to be able to celebrate Northampton town centre.

“One of the great things about having to adapt and launch online first is that we’ve had orders for coffee from around the world including from Hong Kong, San Francisco and Dubai.

“It has been quite positive.”

To find out more about Ben and Nicola's plans, search @saintscoffee on Instagram and @saintscoffeeshop on Facebook or visit the website.

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