Northern Irish roaster to develop coffee shops in China
The first in a planned network of high-end coffee shops in China involving Pure Roast Coffee in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, has just opened in a major shopping mall in Shanghai.
A second shop is scheduled to open its doors in Hangzhou within the next few months.
The Pure Coffee branded coffee shops are the outcome of a business partnership between Pure Roast Coffee and Shenzen-based China Resources, a Fortune 500 company and one of China's biggest business groups. The state-owned enterprise, which owns Ole Supermarkets, has around 5,000 stores throughout China and Hong Kong.
The business relationship has recently been extended by the Chinese company taking an equity holding in Pure Roast Coffee and the formation of an equity joint venture to develop the coffee business across China.
Established as one off the UK's premier coffee roasters by Martin Symington, the managing director, Pure Roast Coffee has flourished in partnership with some of the UK's largest coffee operators and online retailers. Added to this are the accolades and awards, including AA accreditation with BRC and 14 Great Taste Awards.
Present at the official opening of the first Pure Roast Coffee cafe in Shanghai were Mr William Wong of the 87-year-old China trading business, and Mr Symington. Pure Roast Coffee, which employs 10 people in Lisburn and a further 10 in an associated company in England.
Mr Symington says: "The new coffee shop in the store is a hugely impressive and an immensely exciting development for us. It's a tremendous showcase of our premium coffee in China, now the world's most dynamic marketplace, a market with a rapidly developing 'coffee culture'.
"Another high point for us, was the recent supply of our coffee for use in the UK Prime Minister's recent trade visit to Shanghai. The attendees, inclusive of Government officials and business leaders, were treated to our high end coffee at the breakfast meeting.
"I've also benefited enormously from the advice and support of Invest Northern Ireland both here and in China, along with the legal input from MTB Solicitors in Belfast.
Pure Roast Coffee, which has its coffee roasting plant in Northern Ireland, is supplying premium coffee and also providing expert advice in the development of the coffee shops being established in the network of Ole supermarkets owned by China Resources. Ole supermarkets specialise in the sale of western products including food.
As well as supplying premium quality coffee beans, Pure Roast Coffee is providing beans and ground coffee for purchase in the shops.
In addition to coffee beans and ground coffee, Pure Roast Coffee produces easy serve pods and capsules. The company's portfolio also includes double espresso pods, Senseo coffee pods, coffee beans and filter coffee and a complete range of auxiliary products.
China Resources, headquartered in Shenzen, was formed in 1948 and now operates in seven major sectors including retailing and foodservice through its Vanguard company. It has around 5,000 retail outlets across China, including key cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Signing Up: Left: Martin Symington, managing director of Pure Roast Coffee in Lisburn, signing the joint venture agreement with William Wong of China Resources, Shenzen.
