A Perth business that has built up a worldwide customer base has unveiled plans for an ambitious expansion.
The Bean Shop in George Street is hoping to convert a listed building in the city into a coffee-roasting facility to satisfy demand from the Arctic Circle to Istanbul.
The latest step in the remarkable success story is a proposal to make use of the former Peddies ironmongers at 284 High Street.
The George Street shop opened in 2003 and the business has operated warehouse premises in Riverview Industrial Estate in Perth since 2007.
In a statement in support of its planning application, The Bean Shop states that the character of the Peddies listed building lends itself to the company’s proposed operations with minimal alteration required.
“Although we do not have plans to give up the George Street premises, the proximity of the High Street premises to George Street would allow same-day dispatch in many cases and would allow us to use 284 High Street as the collection point for trade orders,” it stated.
“We anticipate using one van daily (to go) to the Peddies building to supply the George Street shop and any subsequent trips could be made with a cycle and trailer.
“We are currently rebuilding and revamping our e-commerce website to keep up with mobile purchasing trends. A moderate increase in turnover would require more dedicated space to fulfil these orders.
“The premises at Peddies also offers us the opportunity to install some automated packaging equipment for coffee.
“A third roaster would give us even more flexibility in our roasting requirements. The increased space at 284 High Street would also allow us to install a coffee training suite.
“We are licenced Fairtrade coffee roasters and members of the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe.
“When the business commenced in 2003 we employed two people. The business currently employs four full-time and three part-time staff. We would anticipate employing another one or two people in the next two years.”