Member Article

Video romance in new coffee cafe

A ‘will they, won’t they’ love story is set to put Newcastle’s newest quality coffee shop on the map.

Kuppa Coffee features in a series of videos that will soon be launched online. ‘My Special Place’ is a mini-soap opera that has been produced by HT Media to follow the unfolding romance of a young man and woman who frequent the city centre cafe.

The videos are the brainchild of entrepreneur Yulei Li, who has just opened Kuppa Coffee in St Mary’s Place near the Civic Centre. Yulei came to the UK five years ago from China to study for a Masters degree at Newcastle University, and has created a coffee shop for connoisseurs who want to sample the very best coffee in the city, prepared to exacting standards.

He said: “ I’m told that people loved the Gold Blend couple in the 1980s and ‘90s, so we’ve created a modern take on the classic ‘will they, won’t they?’ story, based on a couple who meet in Kuppa Coffee.

“The world has moved on since ‘posh’ instant coffee was a sign of your sophistication, and we reckon today’s coffee lovers are more likely to meet their perfect match over a proper cup of quality coffee.”

Based below ground in the former Blue Bunny Cafe, Yulei has invested around £40,000 in refurbishing Kuppa Coffee with quirky furniture and decorations imported from China. Each wall is decorated differently to create a cosy atmosphere for customer to enjoy the perfect cup of coffee, while relaxing on a sofa, reading a book or chatting to friends.

China may be better known for its tea than its coffee, but Yulei is aiming to change that with a selection of ethically sourced speciality coffees from reputable roastaries.

Retail professional Glynn Carson is managing the shop with the help of specialised staff including barista Thomas, 20, from Gateshead, who was recruited because of his passion for creating the perfect cup of coffee every time.

He said: “We don’t just hit buttons here, we do it to a specification. Unlike some of the bigger coffee chains, we follow the precise instructions recommended by the roastaries so we have a set time for the flush, the brew and the size of the coffee shot.”

Yulei added, “We have an ethos here, of quality and passion, and we consider making coffee is an art form but it’s mostly a science. Every batch that we get in has its own character and has to be treated as such, there’s a lot of fine tuning behind the scenes but it’s a means to an end, serving a memorable coffee every time.”

Kuppa Coffee is the only coffee shop in Newcastle to serve Pure Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, and also has a range of food and teas on offer. Located near to the Civic Centre and Newcastle and Northumbria Universities, the shop aims to become an upmarket meeting place for businesses and friends.

Yulei said: “If you’re a coffee-loving young professional or you need somewhere to meet colleagues or clients, Kuppa Coffee is the perfect place.

“The coffee we serve and the surroundings we serve it in are so different to anything else in the city. Kuppa Coffee aims to become ’ My special place’ for people in the city centre, and just like the couple in our video romance, you never know what might happen if you pay us a visit.”

The first My Special Place video is now online as below or check out Kuppa Coffee’s facebook

Or twitter page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7jDmSe1t_Q

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Highlights PR .