Emerging coffee chain targets Cheltenham and Tewkesbury

AN award-winning coffee brand is planning to come to Cheltenham and Tewkesbury.

Those who love nothing more than to get their daily caffeine fix will be interested in plans revealed by Coffee#1.

An independent chain, it hopes to compete with some of the giants of the industry, such as Costa Coffee and Starbucks.

Its bosses are in the midst of an expansion campaign across the South West of England.

They have identified Cheltenham and Tewkesbury as the places they want to come to next and have commissioned Alder King Property Consultants to provide acquisition advice.

Douglas Paull, of Alder King, said: "Coffee#1 has a reputation for providing gourmet coffee in an inviting and comfortable atmosphere and, as a result, is a highly successful business with a loyal customer following. This stage of the programme has involved the acquisition of three new shops to date.

"It is now looking for new premises in Tewkesbury and Cheltenham and we are delighted to be advising it on this search."

The chain has 13 branches throughout the South West of England and South Wales.

Earlier this year, it was named the UK's Best Coffee Chain by the Café Society, beating Costa Coffee, Caffe Gusto, Boston Tea Party and the Soho Coffee Company.

The chain may encounter opposition in Tewkesbury.

Costa Coffee has just obtained planning permission to open a shop in High Street but only after winning a battle against some of those running small private shops in the town centre.

Caffe Ricci manager, Rachel Green, tried to get Costa Coffee's plans thrown out.

She and her supporters collected 291 names on a petition that called for the council to help protect privately-run shops for Tewkesbury to retain its charming small-town feel.