Stepping on to the UK high street it’s clear the independent and corporate branded coffee shop competition is fierce. Coupled with rising customer expectations, today’s café operators need to think more holistically – gone are the days of cafés being seen as basic pit stops for snacks and caffeine.
For museums, galleries and cultural venues, it’s an opportunity to turn your café into a destination where visitors enjoy spending time … and money! Emma Goss-Custard, Founder and Owner of artisan bakery Honeybuns, explores how to elevate your café into a truly memorable experience that keeps visitors coming back for more.
According to research commissioned in 2026 by Lavazza Professional, with 80% of the UK population visiting coffee shops on a weekly basis, the operators who focus on a sense of community, interior design, and aesthetic appeal are the ones to best capture the consumer drive for a holistic experience. The same research found that 75% of people report experiencing better mental health after taking regular coffee breaks. Additionally, 64% of Gen X consumers explicitly link their food and drink choices to their mental well-being, driving demand for spaces that offer comfort and functional value.
Here, I’d like to share some suggestions on how to elevate your operation into something truly memorable and measurably good for human wellness. From getting to know your local coffee roaster’s backstory to inviting a neuro divergent support group over for a cuppa and a cake, the possibilities to enrich your offering are limitless. The great news is, these measures often require thought and energy rather than a painfully big spend.
Planning a 360 Degree Café Audit
Just as holistic medicine accounts for mind body and spirit; a similar 360 degree audit of your café can transform customers into enthusiastic ambassadors and your café into a thriving eco system of interconnected values.
To get started, make a list of areas you want to measure and improve on. I’ve set out a few examples here together with stats, resources and suggested practical actions.
Sustainability
Food waste is a sore point with 82% of UK consumers viewing food waste as a top sustainability priority (source: Nestle Professional).
- Check out Guardians of Grub and their seven day food waste tracker. You can measure waster then trial smaller portions. This is especially relevant with the rise of GLP1 usage and people wanting smaller options.
- Invite folk to take leftovers home. Biodegradable seaweed based packaging is available from www.notpla.com.
- Consult with local gardening groups on Facebook. Can they use your compostable waste including eggs shells, banana skins and veg peelings? Can they return some compost for you to use to grow herbs and edible flowers for the café? This would make a wonderful “closed recycling loop” story to share.
Local Sourcing
Customers love to know where their food comes from and the people who make it.
- Create an illustrated food map. Commission a local art student to detail food miles together with the producers behind the products. This is also a great opportunity to rise above the rise of AI generated artwork.
- Invite your local bee keeper, coffee roaster, herb grower in to give a talk one afternoon, together with a tasting session. How lovely would a herbal tea tasting with cake pairings be?
Movement and Mindfulness
Thinking and moving are both better done with a decent cup of coffee and slice of something delicious – just saying.
- Can you organise a weekly circular walk from your café, complete with a mini picnic of takeaway coffees in branded re -useable cups and cakes to go?
- Do you have space to hold a seated meditation session?
- Go to a local park – again with a café branded picnic. Team up with a local gong bath provider, meditation guide or yoga teacher to tailor make your own café sessions.
- Chat to your social subscribing service – usually within your local GP practice to figure out a way of including the more vulnerable in the community. Ask them how you can be more welcoming to those with Dementia and other conditions.
Food as Medicine
Linking back to that food and health statistic, 64% of Gen X consumers explicitly link their food and drink choices to their mental well-being, it’s worth investing some thought into the labelling and lay out of your menu.
Protein enhanced food has become a staple that shows no signs of being a passing fad. Fibre is gaining traction too with Public Health England raising awareness of the “Fibre Gap”. Statistics show that only about 4% of UK adults currently meet the 30g daily target.
Interestingly, M&S launched their first nutrient dense range in 2025. Your gluten free, dairy free, vegan, protein and fibre enriched options will appeal to an increasingly health conscious customer, both young and old.
Building an Inclusive Café Community
Being neurodivergent friendly can mean simple yet thoughtful implementations.
- Offering quieter demarcated zones
- Hosting non-PDF menus, sensory maps, and clear photographs of the café entrance, seating layout, and restrooms on the café website so guests can plan their visit in advance (National Autistic Society)
- Engage with local support groups and invite them over for a cuppa – find out their thoughts.
Don’t Forget the Knitting
All the above are in addition to the holy trinity of:
- Great food and drink
- Friendly service
- The highest cleanliness standards
With more thought outside the box together with listening and engaging our café communities can continue to evolve and thrive.
About Honeybuns
We are an artisan bakery based in Dorset. Specialising in wrapped slices and tray bakes, all our cakes are gluten free with half the range also vegan and/or dairy free. Customers include Waitrose Cafés, The Lowry, and RHS Wisley. Accountability, Community and Excellence are our values. Customer delight is our overarching aim.
Our bakery is surrounded by our own nature reserve, open to the public on our pop up Tea Tent Saturdays. All proceeds from this pop up café are donated to local charities and we sell our quakes (quirky cakes), locally roasted coffee and Dorset Tea. We also host a series of immersive VIP days from May-September. Corporate and community groups welcome.
Please contact www.honeybuns.co.uk, emma@honeybuns.co.uk or call 01963 23597 for more info on how to visit/buy/find out more.
