East Midlands coffee chain BEAR has secured finance to continue its ambitious expansion strategy, which has seen its latest café-bar open in Stone, Staffordshire.
BEAR, which opened its third location this week, has added to its existing outlets in Derby and Uttoxeter, creating 15 new jobs for the local economy in the process. The new café-bar will provide customers with speciality coffee, fresh food, cocktails and craft beer in the former HSBC building.
Craig Bunting, Co-founder of BEAR, commented on its recent expansion: “We opened our first BEAR in 2016, with the aim of serving great coffee in a warm and welcoming environment, but what really sets us apart is our love for coffee products and connecting with the community around us.
BEAR hopes to quickly become a cornerstone business on the High Street and connect with the local community in as many ways as possible. It differentiates itself from the rest of the market through its inviting atmosphere – getting to know each of its customers, ensuring all staff love what they do and deliver a mix of specialty coffee, simple and honest food, cocktails and craft beer.
BEAR is working to expand throughout the Midlands and beyond, with plans to open up to 30 stores nationwide over the next five years and grow a high quality, responsible brand with positive financial results.