Specialty coffee is now a workplace essential in the UK

Unplug the electric kettle and put away the teabag, specialty coffee is no longer a lagniappe in UK offices — it’s a workplace essential.

With a vivacious and expanding specialty coffee culture in the UK, it is not surprising that employees are also demanding barista-quality coffee at work. According to the British Coffee Association, UK consumers now drink approximately 98 million cups of coffee per day, with 80% of consumers visiting coffee shops once a week and 16% of the population visiting once a day. Thrive London has released new research of 1,000 British employees and 100 employers revealing that specialty coffee in the workplace is not a perk, it is a necessity.

The survey reveals the pivotal role coffee now plays in workplace satisfaction and performance with the following key findings:

• 82% of employees say access to good coffee improves their mood and productivity;
• 70% highlight coffee machine chats as the most sociable moment of their day;
• 98% of employers say coffee plays a vital role in workplace wellness;
• 91% see coffee machines as a hub for camaraderie and collaboration.

With two thirds of employees stating they only have access to a kettle, the data also confirms a growing disconnect between what teams want from their office experience and what many workplaces provide — particularly when it comes to simple, meaningful benefits that build culture. 

Commenting on the research, Clare Hancock, managing director of Thrive London, said, “When budgets are tight, investing in premium coffee may seem like a luxury but our research shows it’s a priceless investment in people. The kettle hasn’t moved with the times and the best workplaces are built around moments of connection. What we see from this research is that great, specialty coffee facilitates this.”

Mintel’s 2024 The Power of Socialisation Report found that encouraging sociable moments helps staff look forward to going to work and signals a company’s commitment to inclusivity, wellbeing and career progression:

• 27% of employees say they feel lonely or isolated at work;
• 83% say their workplace is an enjoyable space to be in and are happy at work. But happiness falls to just 22% if the environment is not right
• 45% of hybrid workers say they would come into their place of work more often if there were more opportunities to socialise with colleagues.

Providing high quality coffee at the workplace has been shown to increase employee morale and productivity (aside from the caffeine boost) because coffee can create opportunities for social interaction and contribute to a positive work culture, and offering high-quality coffee can make employees feel valued and appreciated. 

As many companies are still trying to entice employees ‘back to the office’ from the comfort of their Covid-created home offices and given the breadth and depth of modern office coffee systems, offering good coffee at work is a simple yet effective way to enhance employee well-being, productivity, and workplace culture.

“Coffee is the small thing that powers the big things — connection, creativity, performance,” shared Hancock.

• Vanessa L Facenda, editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, [email protected]