Reading’s Broad Street branch of WHSmith is the first in the chain to unveil its in-store SOHO Coffee Co. franchise, marking the start of the partnership between the food-led, coffee chain and Britain’s most popular stationer, bookseller and newsagent brand.
SOHO Coffee Co. will be open every day, during WHSmith store opening hours, offering customers its trademark organic and Fairtrade, Arabica coffee, alongside the brand’s popular frapps and smoothies menu and a range of fresh hot and cold food available throughout the day.
As part of the franchise partnership, WHSmith has recruited new team members for the Reading store, which have completed their comprehensive barista training with SOHO Coffee Co.
The collaboration will see three units opened within WHSmith’s UK high street shops by the end of the summer.
SOHO Coffee Co. Director, Penny Manuel, comments: “We’re proud to announce our partnership with WHSmith. WHSmith is a pioneering retailer that has continued to evolve their presence on the high street and they have recognised the increasing demand that exists for a quality out-of-home food proposition and branded coffee offer. ’’
About SOHO Coffee Co.
SOHO Coffee Co. is setting the bar for food-led coffee outlets, with stores across the retail, travel, leisure and healthcare sectors in the UK and internationally. The brand proposition is organic, Fairtrade coffee and great, fresh, handmade food; all underpinned by excellent customer service in its instantly recognisable outlets.
SOHO differentiates itself from larger ‘corporate’ coffee chains through its variety of store formats and footprints, its innovative ranges of freshly-made hot and cold food and, fundamentally, by offering an exciting alternative to expected food and beverage options.
Strong relationships with its supply chain partners are critical to its success; for example the Arabica coffee beans for every store are uniquely roasted by one supplier in the Forest of Dean, ensuring the same signature SOHO flavour globally.
‘Caring about coffee.’ is the beverage-only proposition from SOHO Coffee Co.; an alternative to a full SOHO store format, where businesses have their own quality food offering, but recognise the ever-growing demand that exists for a quality, branded coffee offer, backed up with a ‘turnkey’ operational framework.
As a privately-owned company, under Directors Penny Manuel and Chris Copner, SOHO Coffee Co. has grown exponentially through its strategic relationships, including partnerships with SSP, The Food Travel Experts, Roadchef, Butlins, Interserve and Circadian Trust that complement the brand’s growing shopping centre/high street portfolio.
For more information click here