Coffee shop couple raise a cup to market
Bath coffee shop owners Jhampoll (JP) Gutierrez Gomez, a Colombian-born British citizen, and his wife Veronica, have just opened their third branch in four years.
However, in a departure from their other two outlets – the black-and-white branded Colombian Company in Abbeygate Street, Bath, and another in Bristol – this has a bright and sunny interior, with yellow china and aquagreen furniture.
It also has a different name – Vero’s, after Veronica. It’s on the site of the former Jamie’s Deli in Milsom Place and is a Spanish-style cafe, with coffee, sandwiches, pastries and Spanish deli goods.
JP and Veronica attribute their success as much to others as to themselves and pay special thanks to the Bath Artisan Market and its more recent sister event, The Abbey Quarter Market.
The most recent Abbey Quarter Market on Sunday, July 25, boosted their cafe sales by at least 30 per cent, they said.
JP said: “We started at Bath Artisan Market when it was at Green Park Station, before even having a shop. We then moved with it to Queen Square.
“If we hadn’t been at the market, we wouldn’t be where we are now. It gave us a foot in the door of Bath and enabled us to slowly start growing our business so we are very, very grateful.”
With the Bath Artisan Market not being able to return to Queen Square this year and the effects of coronavirus damaging hospitality and events in particular, the enterprising pair recently found themselves in the right place at the right time.
The returning Abbey Quarter Market, which takes up residence on the last Sunday of each month in Kingston Parade, Abbey Green and Abbeygate Street, has boosted their sales considerably. JP said: “We really need the Abbey Quarter Market. In July it created a totally different atmosphere, it brought joy to the area, with people smiling and enjoying themselves and we saw our takings increase by 30 per cent that day.”
Catherine Rapley, the markets’ founder, said: “Since we launched the first Bath Artisan Market in 2012, many of our traders’ businesses have developed into thriving shops or wholesale businesses.
“Markets are the key to reviving and supporting city centres and our markets have a pivotal part to play in the economic success of Bath.”
The Abbey Quarter Market runs on the last Sunday of every month.
The Bath Artisan Market is planning a return this Christmas and is awaiting final sign-off from the council.