Specialty coffee and Italian to-go make a debut on Broad Street
AN ITALIAN-to-go outlet has launched in Reading, bringing specialty coffee and fresh food to the town centre
Coco di Mama in Broad Street is its first branch outside of London.
The brand aims to combine high-quality ingredients, sustainability, and ease of access to provide a one-stop shop for coffee, snacks, and fresh meals.
On Friday, last week, the branch opened its doors to customers, and is gave shoppers the chance to try out some of their products for free at a celebratory event.
Coco di Mama collaborates with Allpress to serve their specialty coffee, which is made from high-quality beans sourced directly from point of origin.
It also continues to focus on open and ethical sourcing of its coffee and the support of its farmers through fair pay, and eco-friendly production practises.
Allpress provides CoCo di Mama with one of its signature blends which combines beans sourced from Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, and Sumatra, prepared by trained baristas.
The branch offers pasta dishes made fresh, as well as salads and baguettes, to either take away or to eat in store.
Its pasta pot options include slow-cooked bolognese, ham and gorgonzola carbonara, and spicy chicken, each for less than £5.
Children’s portions are also available for £2.50, with options to cater for businesses and offices, complete with corporate perks.
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also offers a range of breakfast options and desserts, including their take on Bomboloni, or miniature doughnuts.
On Coco di Mama’s continued collaboration with Allpress, commercial brand manager Sara McKennedy said: “It starts with the specialty coffee.
“We wanted to work with someone local to London, and their blend, roasted and Dalston, was a perfect fit.
“It’s the best quality, and we’ve been working together ever since.”
She said also that the approach to sustainability is an important factor: “It’s something we genuinely care about, we’re like-minded in that sense, and they come to work for us because they care.”
Allpress’ lead account manager, Natalie Saife, said: “It sets an important example as well.
“People can come in and see that if we can do it and be sustainable, others can and should be, so there’s a real alignment there between the two.”
As part of its launch celebrations Coco di Mama is to offer customers a chance to try some of its range with Free Pasta Day.
The event will include a street party outside the store where 500 of its pasta pots will be given away to those signed up.
Free coffee and vouchers will be given to people signing up to its loyalty scheme and mailing list.
The brand is also catering for students, who could be in with a chance to win a year of free pasta pots via the Reading Students’ Union’s Instagram page.
Jim Attwood, managing director of Coco di Mama, said: “We’re really excited that Reading will be our first flagship store outside of London, as part of our regional expansion plans.
“We hope we can bring something exciting, new and generous to Reading high street’s customers, and a brand that also gives back to the local community”.
As part of the brand’s focus on ethical and sustainable practises, Coco di Mama is working with a number of local charities.
It is donating unsold products to Readifood and working with them to help distribute them to those who need support in the town.
It will also hold summer fundraisers in aid of LGBTQ+ charities, including its most recent, Not a Phase.
The branch features art by Reading artist Ray McGrother on the walls and has been built according to Gold Start Sustainable Fit Out criteria as part of its aim to be completely Net Zero in its carbon footprint by 2040.
More than 50% of its recipes are also low or very low carbon, and more than 50% are plantbased or vegetarian.
Coco di Mama celebrates its Free Pasta day event on Saturday, February 25.