Expansion for The Island Tea and Coffee Co

Established in 1982, Rookley based The Island Tea and Coffee Co has recently invested more than £100,000 in a state-of-the-art Coffee Roasting and Training Centre.

The move opens up two new job opportunities to increase demand for their locally roasted coffee but expand the Barista Training Courses and Roasting Experience Sessions.

The new facility provides two state-of-the-art roasting rooms, one of which houses the latest all electric coffee roaster, which was supported by a LoCASE Grant to focus on growing a low carbon economy.

Adding to this is the fact that the new roaster is powered from the 77 solar panels already installed on the roof of the companies’ offices, production
and warehouse complex.

These same panels also charge their all-electric vans that deliver freshly roasted coffee to hundreds of customers across the island and south coast.

With all coffee beans Fairtrade sourced The Island Tea and Coffee Co. are able to now provide an ethical and environmentally supporting product from bean to cup.

Jon Carter, Managing Director, said:

“Our customers are increasingly looking for a high quality, reliable, local source for freshly roasted coffee but one that truly cares for the environment.

"This investment reflects our commitment to providing exactly that.”

Alongside the twin roast rooms is a dedicated training and demonstration area, allowing the company to provide Roast Experience sessions through to full Barista Training using the latest automatic and barista machines.

Enabling the company to demonstrate the full range of machines available for purchase and rental and provide the important training needed for
cafés, hotels and restaurants across the island to serve a great cup of coffee every time.

Something also increasingly sought after by those at home wanting to know more about the coffee journey, roasting and how to get the best from their barista machines at home or in the office.

Two new jobs will be created through this investment, with the two roasting rooms having the capability to produce 200,000 1Kg bags of roasted coffee each year, enough to provide 28,571,428 shots of espresso – that’s over 200 individual cups of espresso for everyone living on the Island!

The popularity of coffee has grown over recent years, reflected in the many coffee shops lining high streets but also within pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels and other businesses on the Island.

The single origin Arabica beans that The Island Tea & Coffee Co. bring in from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Congo and India have proven very popular.

So much so that you can now find their locally roasted beans on supermarket shelves and Red Funnel Ferries in addition to being able to buy 200g through to 1 kilo bags online through the shop online.