Artisan coffee shop that’s brimming with community spirit

Owner Robert Bamford is passionate about hospitality and coffee, having spent 30 years working his way up from pot washer to general manager in several establishments around the country.

Here, in our latest Food and Drink feature, Robert tells us how the Covid-19 pandemic saw the creation of a cosy garden area and upstairs seating and why winter is a busy time for coffee makers.

If you would like to appear in our food and drink features, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

Robert is passionate about coffee

What’s your full name?

Robert Bamford

What’s the name of the business?

Dick’s Bean Bar

What’s the address?

17 Winwick Street,

Warrington,

WA1 1XR

Are you the owner/manager?

Owner

Dick's Bean Bar opened on Winwick Street in May 2016

When did you open the business?

I opened in May 2016

Has it always been in the same location?

Yes

Are you local to the area? Did you grow up here?

No, I’m originally from Brighton. My wife is from Great Sankey and I moved to Warrington 17 years ago.

Tell me a bit about your business. What do you do?

We are an independent artisan coffee shop that serves single origin coffee and homemade food. We bake fresh cakes daily and prepare all our menu items freshly on site.

Dick's Bean Bar provides more than a dozen different hand roasted quality coffee beans at any one time

What services do you provide?

We provide food and drink to eat in or takeaway as well as coffee experiences through masterclasses. We also have a vast selection of coffee beans along with multiple brewing techniques.

Why did you decide to open your own business?

I’m passionate about hospitality and coffee. I felt that eight years ago there was a gap in the market in the local area.

What’s your business background?

I’ve spent 30 years in hospitality at every level from pot washer to general manager for large corporations and independent businesses.

Why this type of business?

When I opened Dick’s Bean Bar I had two goals. Firstly, I wanted to create a better family and work life balance. Licensed businesses tend to operate late nights and weekends. Secondly, I’m passionate about hospitality and coffee culture.

Food and drinks are prepared fresh on site every day

Were you open before/during/after the Covid-19 pandemic? How did this affect your business?

Yes, it was never in our five-year plan to close during the Covid pandemic but we did in March 2020 and re-opened in June that year. The government support saved our business and we never would have survived without the grants it provided. I predominantly worked single-handedly for the next 12 months, providing coffee from the door wherever Covid regulations allowed. We have grown and prospered since Covid and have a garden area and upstairs seating thanks in part to the regulations implemented at the time.

What makes your business different to others in the same area/field?

We provide more than a dozen different hand roasted quality coffee beans at any one time. We make our food and drink fresh to order and we are full of local community that adds a friendly social aspect to having a coffee at Dick’s. We are open from 6am so you can get your first cup of coffee early each day.

What sets your business apart from your competitors?

We have a professional team that is passionate about coffee and hospitality but it’s our delivery in a fun, friendly environment that makes having coffee at Dick’s different to the rest.

The garden seating has been a popular addition to the coffee shop

Why do loyal customers return to your business?

Good quality food and drink! I think it’s mostly about the atmosphere created by our team.

What’s next? What do the next few weeks or months hold for your business?

We are currently working through a refurbishment that will mean we have a fresh new look by January. We always look forward to Christmas specials - it means lots of work as it’s our busiest time of year, as the dark mornings and cold weather set in for winter.