An Edinburgh coffeehouse has found success, as they urged customers to go screen-free.
Beatnik, which sits on Brougham Place, went against the grain by urging customers to drop off the grid and enjoy the 'buzz' at the late night cafe. Replacing alcohol with coffee and pastries, owners highlighted the 'high-energy' baristas.
Co-founders Safraz Rathore and Jemma Craig spotted a gap in the market, and hoped to provide a spot to distract from the digital distractions of modern life. The venue has already garnered a dedicated following.
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They took the name from a '50s cultural movement, with the term Beatnik used to describe young people enjoying unconventional lifestyles and rejecting 'societal norms'. Over summer, Safraz and Jemma plan to host parties and Q&A sessions.
Sarfraz Rathore said: “We wanted to create a comfortable, energising space where people can unplug from their devices and be present in the moment – and we’re so lucky that our customers got that straight away.
"Now that we’ve mastered our coffee roaster rotation, in the next six months we’re looking to expand our food offering and, in the future, hopefully bring BEATNIK to more cities across the UK."
The couple started the business with £50,000 of funding from DSL Business Finance, from the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme.
Louise McCoy, commercial managing director, British Business Bank said: “We’re pleased to support an independent coffee shop that’s competing with the big chains and offering a break from the digital overload of modern life. New businesses bring a lot of value to local communities, and our Start Up Loans programme was established to support entrepreneurs like Sarfraz and Jemma with access to finance,”
