New independent coffee shop Milk & Bean to open in Newbury town centre tomorrow

A brand new independent coffee shop is hoping to brew up a storm when it opens in Newbury town centre tomorrow (Tuesday).

Chris Chaplin and Freya Lynch, both 24, are the young couple behind Milk & Bean, a speciality coffee business that will open its first permanent outlet tomorrow morning.

Located at 32 Northbrook Street, Milk & Bean will serve artisan coffee made to order along with cakes, pastries and coffee-related paraphernalia and merchandise.

The Milk & Bean team are hoping that their independent nature, strong passion for coffee and interest in the science that goes into making it will make the new coffee shop stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Mr Chaplin said: “We’re really excited. Really nervous too, but more excited than nervous I’d say.”

The business began as a hobby last year. The couple, who both grew up in Newbury, purchased a second hand coffee machine called Bertha and a horse box called Herbert and began serving fresh coffee at festivals, fun days and markets in the local area.

The recognisable horsebox soon became a regular mainstay at Newbury’s markets.

After a successful first year, both Mr Chaplin and Miss Lynch quit their jobs and began focusing on the business full-time and decided to open their first coffee shop together.

When asked about what it’s like to run a business as a couple, Miss Lynch said: “It’s had its ups and downs but it’s been good, yeah.”

Mr Chaplin added: “There’s been a few arguments but we always get through it. We love it really.”

Miss Lynch, who has a culinary background, will be making fresh baked goods in-house every day, and the Milk & Bean team soon hope to launch a hot brunch menu as well.

From tomorrow, Milk & Bean will be open six days a week, Tuesday to Sunday, from 7.30am to 4pm.