Chiswick's passion for caffeine keeps the bean counters in clover

New coffee shops are opening at a rate of 10 per week according to a new study which claims that demand for caffeine is keeping the coffee business afloat.

Although many have tightened their belts when it comes to eating out, a cup of coffee remains widely considered as a “non-negotiable” treat. Which is just as well for the plethora of Chiswick's coffee shops who currently appear to be defying the economic downturn.

For example take the High Road's latest addition Kitchen and Pantry, part of the Costa Coffee chain, which is consistently busy. One Cafe Nero coffee convert claimed they made "the best cappuccino in Chiswick." Considering how many cafes she has to choose her cappuccino from, this is praise indeed.

Although Costa Coffee's bean counters are not complacent. “Nobody will be immune if the economic environment worsens,” said Managing Director John. “That’s why we’re making our appearance better."

He believes that people are more likely to feel that £2.25 is a reasonable price to pay for a cup of coffee if they buy it in “a great environment”. Or perhaps they are hoping that the aestheticswill detract from the fact that they have raised their prices to compensate for the rising cost of milk and coffee beans.

The country's coffee shop market is currently valued at £4.1 billion of which £1.8 billion represents the independent coffee shop market.

October 22, 2008