Beans & Beats

For our December coffee concept of the month, we are spotlighting a unique business, mixing coffee and music - Beans & Beats. This is a great café, serving up coffee and a sense of community, which you should go visit if you're in Brixton. You can find Beans & Beats at 179 Ferndale Road, London, SW9 8BA.

We spoke with Winston, the owner of Beans & Beats, and asked him some questions about his business. Read on to find out more.

You can find them on Instagram @beansandbeatssw9

Tell us a bit about your business, and the motivation for starting the brand?

At Beans & Beats, we're more than just a coffee shop – we're a passion project fueled by 15 years of hospitality expertise. Having worked in luxury hospitality in London for a decade, I envisioned bringing the quality of Mayfair to Brixton. Our mission is to set the tone for your day with the best start possible. From personalised service, remembering your name and order, to serving the finest coffee, we're dedicated to ensuring you have an unparalleled experience. Beyond coffee, we believe everyone deserves a soundtrack for their day. Our lively playlists, paired with an 85% customer return rate, reflects our commitment to building a community around shared values. Though takeaway-only, Beans & Beats creates a sense of belonging that transcends the ordinary coffee shop experience.

Why do you like using Redemption Roasters’ coffee?

I am very inspired by the mission. I believe strongly in giving people a second chance, and supporting those most vulnerable in society. I have always worked with charities, and helping others is the cornerstone of how I live my life and therefore how I run my business. When I discovered RR, I knew I had to work with them. You manage to combine social purpose with delicious coffee, and the fact that we can help reduce reoffending whilst also serving some of the nicest blends I have ever tasted is amazing.

Where do you see your business going in five years?

I am so happy with how receptive the local community has been to Beans & Beats, and how good the feedback has been. I am already looking for our second site for a takeaway only venue, and in the next 5 years we want to develop into wider hospitality concepts – all day dining and eventually bars. Excellence and personalised service with a smile shouldn’t just be reserved for Mayfair, and I am excited to continue to build this out across South London. And then the world?!

What’s next for your business?

Open a second site next year! Watch this space.

What is your favourite thing about your business?

The people. Every day I get to put a smile on our customers' faces. I love building a community around the coffee shop, and seeing the same people come back each day. Nothing makes me happier than hearing people say it is the best coffee they’ve ever had!

What have been some of your biggest learning experiences in running your business?

The importance of consistency. With so many repeat customers, it is really important that we provide excellence in terms of products but also in terms of service. I will throw away a coffee if the pour hasn’t been quite right from the machine, or if the scales are a bit off. I would rather do something from scratch then hand something over that isn’t the best it could be!

Finally, what’s your favourite coffee to make and Redemption Roasters product?

Flat White, and The Yard.