A BUSINESSMAN is hoping to create a buzzing ‘coffee culture’ in Greenock by opening a new specialist spot in the town.
Allan White, 41, plans to open the doors to Alchemist Coffee Bar on Jamaica Street in early September.
The shop will offer locally sourced specialist coffee, as well as a selection of cold food.
Allan, who has previously worked in hospitality and the whisky industry, hopes the town will benefit from the venture by filling a gap in the market.
He told the Tele: “I came to Greenock with an ex-partner a few years ago.
“We broke up but I always thought I would stay in Greenock, because I think it’s an untapped market when it comes to business.
“I said I would stay if I could bring something to the community.
“I just felt like Greenock was missing a good independent, specialist coffee shop.
“We want to build a wee coffee culture.
“If you go up to Byres Road or Shawlands, there are many of them.
"A lot of them are doing really well and they build a wee community.”
Having placed great importance on using local suppliers, Allan has teamed up with Ryan Casey from Port Glasgow’s Downriver Coffee Roasters.
The New Yorker launched the roastery earlier this year at Kelburn Business Park, with her Boiler Maker coffee set to be used as the house roast at Alchemist.
Allan will also use products from Moovin’ Milk in Kilmacolm, with Tonino’s on Grey Place supplying focaccia.
He credited Wildfire in Gourock as a ‘great inspiration’ for his own shop and hopes to replicate some of their success.
Allan added: “Ryan’s almost like an advisor at the moment, because she’s probably forgotten more about coffee than I’ll ever know.
“She is great to have on board with us.
“She’ll be coming back along in a few weeks once the machine is in and we’ll be working together to perfect it.
“We’re going to pride ourselves on our coffee. We want every coffee to be a great coffee.”
Allan is currently recruiting staff for the shop, which he hopes will create up to six jobs for local people.
His long term plans for the coffee bar include using the store as a multi-use space for pop-ups and other events.
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