Chippenham coffee shop hopes to fill 'gap in the market'

Coffee on the Corner is set to become Chippenham’s newest speciality coffee shop when it opens at the junction of New Road and Station Hill.

The independent startup has been launched by partners Mark Williams and Millie Jones, who recently moved to the area from Bristol and London respectively.

They told this paper they were inspired to set up the business to “fill a gap in the market” for local businesses selling well-sourced coffee.

“We just realised there wasn’t an independent place to get a good coffee from in the town”, said Ms Jones.

“You’ve got Bath down the road, and you’ve got Corsham which does independent businesses really well, but we were quite surprised at the lack of them in Chippenham.

Coffee on the Corner (Image: Newsquest)

“We’re massive coffee drinkers and are really passionate about it, and we found ourselves driving out of town just to pick up a drink, which is ludicrous.”

Ms Jones, who still works as a pilates instructor, and Mr Williams who is a former barber, are planning to bring high-quality, sustainably sourced coffee to a venue that will have an “intimate, local” vibe.

The shop is due to open to customers during the first week of July, although an official launch date has not been set yet.

A launch competition will be held on Coffee on the Corner’s Instagram page which will also be posting updates on the store’s progress as it enters the final stages of refurbishment.

The couple have ensured to use local businesses and tradespeople to help them set the venture up.

This has included Chippenham-based startups Knowles Signs, who decorated the shopfront, and William Tucker Carpentry.

Coffee on the Corner (Image: Newsquest)

Bumpers Farm roastery Coffee Gems will be the store’s main supplier once it opens, helping the business remain both local and sustainable.

Mr Williams added that they hope to spark a revival for independent businesses in the town.

He said: “It’s very important to have local businesses. We’ve had a mixed bag of reactions, more so positive than negative.

“The negative comments online have said it won’t last because the High Street is depleted, those comments prove how needed it is.

“We’re adding to the new, independent businesses in the area and we hope it will continue because Chippenham is a really community-based place.”