Business

Award-winning Belfast coffee company announces expansion

Belfast coffee company Root & Branch is expanding its premises on the Ormeau Road
Belfast coffee company Root & Branch is expanding its premises on the Ormeau Road Belfast coffee company Root & Branch is expanding its premises on the Ormeau Road

AWARD-winning Belfast coffee company Root & Branch is expanding its Ormeau Road premises.

Previously voted the top coffee shop in Northern Ireland by the Irish Times, the firm is expanding into the neighbouring hairdressers 'Kurl Up & Dye' on Jameson Street in a move that will increase seating and allow the company to offer a wider range of food. As a result the company has advertised for a number of new positions, including baristas and cooks.

Founded by Ben Craig and Simon Johnston, Root & Branch began life as a pop-up, but made its permanent home off the top of the Ormeau Road in May 2016. The micro-roastery has since gone from strength to strength, supplying its coffee into Dublin, London, across Europe, and selling online.

In June the coffee company opened its second outlet at the newly-developed Ormeau Baths. a newly developed co-working space and tech community at the converted former bath house.

In a recent Facebook post Root & Branch said the expansion at the Ormeau Road premises is the result of a need for more space to accommodate room for coffee roasting and seating for customers.

"Our kind landlord recently offered us the chance to expand into next door, and our problem was immediately solved. Soon the R&B Roastery & Cafe will be next door to one another, and all in this beautiful old building. We get to play with food again & celebrate all our friends who grow incredible produce, & you get to have it with our coffee menu on actual seats...inside," they said.