London Coffee Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Ant Duckworth, founder and CEO of Dear Coco, has taken a humble mobile coffee van and turned it into a West London favourite — now expanding to multiple locations. In this episode, we explore what it truly takes to run a coffee business in today’s economic climate, from managing growth to staying resilient in challenging times.

Ant also shares how his authentic approach to social media has become a cornerstone of Dear Coco’s success, helping to build a loyal community around great coffee. Tune in to hear the story behind one of West London’s most beloved coffee brands.

Credits music: "Could This Be Real" by Aleks in Flux in association with The Coffee Music Project
Create a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene. 
 

In this episode, host Jeffrey Young sits down with Saskia Blum, co-founder of Batch Baby — one of East London’s standouts and firmly in our LCG Top 10.

Saskia shares how Batch Baby grew from a tiny neighbourhood spot into a vibrant community hub, how creative collaborations helped the business thrive, and why keeping things fun behind the bar matters just as much as brewing excellent coffee.

Tune in and dive into one of the most joyful stories in London’s specialty coffee scene.

Credits music: "Finance 300" by Kri in association with The Coffee Music Project
Create a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene. 

Welcome to The London Coffee Podcast, a brand-new interview series exploring the people, passion, and creativity behind London’s specialty coffee scene.

Our host, Jeffrey Young, sits down with founders, entrepreneurs, and key people behind some of London’s most inspiring coffee businesses — uncovering the stories, lessons, and craft that shape one of the most vibrant coffee cities on the planet.

In this first episode, Jeffrey chats with Paul Ross, founder of Special Guests and two-time UK Barista Champion. Paul shares his journey through the world of coffee — from competition wins to creating what is now one of London’s standout cafés, recently ranked among the Top 10 in The London Coffee Guide.

So grab a coffee and join us — as we find out what’s so special about Special Guests. ☕️

Credits music: "London’s Brewing" by Jnay in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective
Create a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene. 

Adnan Millwala, Victor Gamboa, and Santiago Gamboa are the co-founders of Hermanos — a bold, colourful brand bringing Colombian heritage and exceptional coffee into the fabric of London’s specialty scene.

This episode traces the story behind Hermanos, from its early beginnings to the values shaping the brand today. The conversation moves through inspiration, identity, and the role coffee plays as a cultural connector — a way to share the spirit, flavours, and traditions of Colombia far beyond its borders.

An episode about building with intention, honouring origin, and using coffee as a vehicle for culture, community, and energy.

Credits music: "Time and Again" by The Misty in association with The Coffee Music Project
Create a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene. 

Nick Mabey and Michael Cleland, co-founders of Assembly Coffee, are leading the way in independent roasting with a focus on innovation and sustainability. In this episode, we explore their journey from concept to opening Assembly, how they are shaping the future of specialty coffee, and what it truly takes to run a business grounded in sustainability and forward-thinking practices.

Hear firsthand how Assembly Coffee combines craft, care, and conscience to create exceptional coffee while pushing the industry toward a more responsible future.

Credits music: "Soho" by Eirra in association with The Coffee Music Project
Create a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene. 

This week, we’re joined by James Hennebry, CEO and Co-Founder of Rosslyn Coffee — one of London’s most respected independent specialty coffee brands. With eight shops within a single square mile, Rosslyn has become a benchmark for high-volume coffee done exceptionally well.

We dive into the Rosslyn success story, what’s driven their growth, and how they keep standards so consistently high at scale.

Credits music: "Streets of London" by Charlotte Campbell in association with The Coffee Music Project
Create a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene. 

In this episode, Roger Hart, founder of Store Street Espresso, shares what it’s like to run an independent London coffee business for over 15 years. The conversation explores how he got started, the realities of building a long-lasting brand, and the lessons learned from navigating major challenges. Roger reflects on resilience, adaptability, and what it takes to come back stronger in an ever-changing coffee industry.

Credits music: "At Your Prime" by Flo Perlin in association with The Coffee Music Project
Create a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene. 

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Kostova, founder of Hyde and Seek Running Club — a Saturday morning ritual that’s been bringing people together for movement, connection, and post-run coffee for the past two years.

We talk about how running and coffee naturally intersect, what makes a coffee shop somewhere you want to return to, and why community-led rituals matter more than ever in a city as big as London. From shared routes to shared tables, this conversation is all about finding connection through simple, joyful routines.
Credits music: "Rings of Saturn" by Matt Kent in association with The Coffee Music Project
Create a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene. 

In this episode of the London Coffee Podcast, we sit down with Johnny, founder of Calico Coffee — a café that has quickly become one of London’s must-visit spots and secured a Top 10 place in the London Coffee Guide in under a year.

We explore the story behind Calico’s creation, the journey from idea to opening, and what it truly takes to build an inspired coffee space in one of the most competitive coffee cities in the world.
Credits music: "One Love" by Florence Noon in association with The Coffee Music Project
Create a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene. 

Ritesh Doshi, CEO of Spring Valley Coffee, joins the London Coffee podcast to talk about the journey of one of Kenya’s most respected specialty coffee roasters — and its recent arrival in London.

From Nairobi to London, the conversation explores African coffee culture, building a values-driven business, and Riteish's philosophy of empowered people, purpose, and hospitality. An episode about connection, culture, and turning every cup into something more.

Credits music: "Dirty Harry" by Rosie Smith in association with The Coffee Music Project
Create a free profile on The London Coffee Guide website, subscribe to @thelondoncoffeeguide on Instagram and follow the latest coffee news, openings, and stories from London’s specialty scene.