Cycling café concept to be rolled out to 10 sites in five years
The concept will reportedly combine a cycling theme with 'great coffee and an outstanding food offering'.
Velo has been founded by a team including Brad Jacobsen, founder of Small Batch Coffee; Oli Hyde, pub operator and founder of The Flour Pot Bakery and James Cuthbertson, director at the Dark Star Brewing Co and Instinctive PR.
Nigel Lambe, shareholder and chairman of WJ King Brewery, Small Batch Coffee, the Dictionary Hostel and business coaching firm Bold Decisions, will be serving as chief executive of the newly-formed company.
"I’ve pulled together a team to build what I expect to rank as one of the best café chains in the country," Lambe said. "We’ll make a simple promise to our consumers – to deliver a high quality experience at every level and be accessible to all."
Roll-out
Lambe, who is also the current entrepreneur-in-residence at City College in Brighton, said the concept would be launched in the East Sussex city in August before the team gear up for an ambitious nationwide roll-out programme.
"Whilst the architects are working on the first Brighton site we are actively looking for sites across the south east to begin the roll-out, with a view to securing at least 10 sites inside five years," he explained.
Before Velo is wheeled out the team are making the final touches to the concept which is expected to appeal to a wide range of consumers.
"It will carry a cycling theme and I expect it to attract cyclists, but as a community hub, it will be as suited as much to commuters as it will be competitors," Lambe said. "It will be more about our attitude to healthy life and an active lifestyle, than about the Lycra.
“The concept will form part of people’s leisure time – that might be a great coffee whilst going to the office, and bringing the kids back at the weekend for a drink and a bite to eat – either way, our venues will be assessable and fun for cyclists and non-cyclists, though we expect to convert a few along the way," he concluded.
