The owners of Feast Café, in Kirkcudbright, have launched a brand-new coffee brand after receiving specialist support from Business Gateway.
The café was taken over by friends Lewie and Robyn in January 2024 and, after a successful first year of business, the pair decided to launch their very own coffee brand, Kirk-Coo-Brew, with the name inspired by its home town.
Lewie and Robyn approached Business Gateway for expert advice on the food and drink trade, and to find out more about funding opportunities.
After being introduced to their Business Gateway adviser, John King, the duo was signposted to The Enterprise Seed Fund 2024, which supports start-ups and early-stage businesses, with up to £3,000 available. The fund was initiated by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Business Gateway and backed by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
Lewie and Robyn put this funding towards the start-up costs, in particular the equipment required to roast coffee.
Kirk-Coo-Brew uses beans from fair trade cooperatives across the world and is crafted to cater to everyone, from the casual coffee drinker to those who rely on a daily dose of caffeine.
Customers will be served the coffee at Feast Café and can also buy bags to take home and brew themselves. The pair has plans to sell to other local businesses and supply the local area with local coffee.
Robyn, co-owner of Feast Café, said: “We have loved getting to bring Kirk-Coo-Brew to our café. We have spent the last few months trying different beans and roasts, getting to share our work with some of our regulars.
“Having Business Gateway’s guidance has helped us to get started with this bit of our business; John’s advice helped us to be sure that our idea was a good one. We had a solid plan and he was impressed by our write up. With the help of Business Gateway, we have been able to start this with support that we were looking for.”
