The Irish coffee chain has opened its first standalone café in partnership with the retail group as it targets further outlet growth in the UK
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Insomnia is planning to reach 50 UK outlets by 2027 | Photo credit: Insomnia Coffee Company
Ireland’s Insomnia Coffee Company has launched its first standalone coffee shop in partnership with the Central England Co-operative.
The coffee chain already partners with the UK retailer via coffee machines and kiosks within Central England Co-operative stores, but the new site in Blaby, Leicestershire, marks the first standalone café as part of the collaboration.
The outlet adds to Insomnia’s 20 UK stores with the partnership also seeing select Central England Co-operative products sold on-site, including Co-op branded wine and craft beer.
Jamie Thomson, Head of Commercial Development at Central England Co-op, said the retailer was ‘thrilled to help facilitate’ the new store in Blaby, adding that Insomnia’s 100% Fairtrade coffee offering ‘fits in with our community-driven philosophy’.
“Bringing Insomnia to Blaby is another milestone for us, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the community. The new store looks terrific and we’re ready to deliver the excellent customer service that we specialise in. We have launched many stores over our history, and each one is still an exciting occasion for us, so pop in and say hello,” said Harry O’Kelly, CEO, Insomnia Coffee.
In September 2022 Insomnia announced plans to open up to eight cafés annually over the next five years as part of expansion plans focusing on suburbs and towns across Ireland and the UK.
The coffee chain currently operates over 170 company-owned and franchised stores across the two nations. Insomnia is planning to reach 50 UK outlets by 2027.
Alongside its bricks-and-mortar locations, Insomnia also operates approximately 400 self-serve kiosks across Ireland and 30 in the UK.
Central England Co-operative trades across 16 English counties, operating more than 250 foodstores, alongside funeral homes, petrol stations and florists. The retailer first partnered with Insomnia in August 2020.