WHOLE LATTE SUCCESS FOR PALS
Pair brew up new business
Lock down walkers have helped spawn a quirky coffee empire in Renfrewshire.
Ross Cameron, 29, and 25-yearold Connor Jervis started their Curly Coffee takeaway business in August from the back of a converted 60-year-old Commer ambulance in Houston.
The vehicle, named ‘Sabrina’, has also been used as a coffee stall in Italy.
So successful was the venture that, within two months, Ross and Connor expanded their business by setting up at a second location in the Renfrewshire village, in a converted horse-box, which they named ‘Piper’.
And they now have plans to open a third unit at Bishopton Train Station in early April, using a converted cattle truck dubbed ‘Zelda’.
The trade has been built as increasing numbers of people faced with little else to do began walking in their local area.
Ross and Connor have now left their full time jobs with two major rival coffee shop chains to concentrate on consolidating and growing their business, which today employs 13 people in full and part-time jobs.
And they plan to take on two more employees with the opening of their Bishopton unit.
Their coffee empire began after they signed an agreement with Elderslie Estates to set up in a Houston car park serving the local medical practice and shops.
The business expanded so rapidly that they opened a second unit in the car park of the Strathgryffe Tennis, Squash and Fitness Club in November.
They plan to open their third stall, housed in a converted cattle truck, at Bishopton Station, having reached an agreement with ScotRail.
Ross, who has a degree in advertising and commercial film, admits that when he first pitched the idea to his family they were less than enthusiastic.
He said: “My dad was a very successful businessman and business consultant, and his advice was that we should start with something small that didn’t need a lot of capital.
“My whole family is very business savvy and when we told them what we planned, they couldn’t quite see the vision.
“But, at least, so far, it has worked.”
Ross and Connor accept that the covid restrictions imposed on sitting in restaurants, pubs, cafes and coffee shops has been a factor in the growth of their business.
“We were confident about the business when we first came up with the idea.
“But with more and more people going out walking as part of their daily exercise regime during the covid restrictions, we have seen a huge increase in the number of customers who now see a visit to Curly Coffee as part of that routine, and that has been great for business,” said Ross
Connor, a graduate in drama and theatre, added, “The fact that we’re on the dog-walking trail in Houston was a real bonus
“In fact, many of our customers have said that we’ve been a bit of a lifeline for them during these difficult times, giving them the opportunity to pop along for a coffee and a chat while they’re out.”
Ross and Connor realise that the relaxation of the covid restrictions and the eventual reopening of coffee shops, bars and restaurant will bring a new trading environment.
Ross said: “People have had a year living with these restrictions and their daily walk has become an important part of their lives.
“We’re confident that will continue even after the retail sector reopens and society gets back to something like normal.”
With more people out walking, we have seen a huge increase in the number of customers