Independent coffee chain set for expansion with new branches in Rothwell and Rushden

Bewiched already has coffee shops in Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby and Peterborough and its most recent addition opened in Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre in December.

But Matt Fountain, managing director of Bewiched, is not stopping there as another two shops are set to open soon, taking the number of branches to eight.

Bewiched is due to open in Market Hill, Rothwell, where The Store coffee shop used to be and there will also be a branch opening as part of the first phase of the Rushden Lakes development.

Matt said: “Rushden Lakes will be number eight.

“I was made aware that they were looking for an independent coffee shop to go in with The Wildlife Trust.

“I just thought there’s a lot of potential there for brand awareness and it’s interesting to partner with the Wildlife Trust, it’s quite an unusual building.

“It’s going to be very interesting, it’s our first foray into a retail park.”

Bewiched will be based in the same building as the Wildlife Trust’s visitor centre at the new multi-million pound retail and leisure scheme, which will have views across the lake and create 10 jobs.

The visitor centre is eco-friendly and has a living roof, and will have interactive stations for youngsters to find out more about the nature reserve and its wildlife.

But as well as the new Rushden Lakes site, it is hoped that the new Rothwell branch will be ready to open either by the end of the month or the start of March.

Matt said he was never going to be happy with just one shop and it was always his intention to expand the chain.

He believes its success is down to his and his team’s ‘passion for the product,’ and he relishes opening up near bigger chains where they can give customers a choice about where they get their coffee from.

But even with these two new shops, Matt still has other ambitions.

He said: “My big ambition is to make us an award-winning employer.

“I want to attract and retain the best talent in the coffee industry.”

The new coffee shops will be offering similar menus to the existing branches, including a range of coffees, hot chocolate, iced teas, smoothies and milkshakes as well as sweet and savoury snacks.

To read more about the Wildlife Trust and it’s visitor centre at Rushden Lakes, click here