The University Caterers Organisation, or TUCO for short, is a procurement framework built for in-house caterers within higher education establishments. We’re pleased to announce, following a successful first four years as a TUCO supplier, we have secured a further four year agreement to continue supplying specialty coffee and hot beverage goods and services to higher education outlets.
Our Head of Sales, Grant Mitchell, comments on the awarding of a further four-year agreement:
“We’re thrilled to announce that Bridge Coffee Roasters has secured a new framework agreement with TUCO Ltd, solidifying our position as a leading hot beverage and specialty coffee supplier in the higher, further education, and public sector. As a TUCO supplier since 2019, we’ve been providing premium coffee experiences to this market and are excited about the future and where this partnership will take us in the years to come.
We want to extend a big thank you to our team at BCR for their continued support and professionalism in ensuring premium experiences for our partners over the last four years and into the future.”
In this article, we’re recognising the fantastic other coffee and hot beverage suppliers that have also secured a framework agreement until 2028.
The Winning TUCO Suppliers for Coffee and Hot Beverage Frameworks 2024-2028
Bridge Coffee Roasters
Based: Cardiff, South Wales & Clerkenwell, London
Founded: 1985
About: Bridge are a third-generation family owned specialty coffee roaster based in Cardiff, South Wales, providing full-service wholesale coffee solutions to businesses in hospitality, catering, healthcare, education, hotels, leisure and office spaces.
Offers: Specialty coffee, barista training, engineer fleet, annual service cover and proactive maintenance, coffee equipment and leasing, seasonal drink calendar, white label coffee and branding, coffee quality auditing.
Cafedirect Roastery Limited
Based: Hackney, London.
Founded: 1991
About: Cafédirect is a purpose-driven coffee company committed to fair trade practices and supporting coffee farmers. They pioneered direct trade, sharing over £30 million in profits with farmers and setting industry standards for ethical sourcing. They recently acquired coffee brand Grumpy Mule in 2023.
Offers: Single origin and blended coffees, farmer relationships, online retail, sustainability, impact reports, farmer stories.
Cafeology Limited
Based: Sheffield
Founded: 2003
About: Cafeology focuses on ethically sourced beverages for out-of-home markets. They specialize in sustainable and ethical partnerships with coffee producers in Spanish-speaking countries, offering three distinct brands. Roastology, their coffee roasting arm in Sheffield, emphasizes small artisan batch roasting, full traceability, and quality control, ensuring each batch meets their high standards.
Offers: Traditional and automatic coffee equipment, ancillary products, barista training, equipment servicing, branding support.
Coffee Conscience Ltd
Based: Renfreshire, Glasgow
Founded: 1998
About: Coffee Conscience promotes social, environmental, and community responsibility. With over 26 years of experience, they have pioneered Fairtrade distribution, supporting community projects and adhering to high ethical standards. Coffee Conscience prioritises fair compensation as a Real Living Wage Employer, striving to make a positive impact with every cup consumed.
Offers: Fairtrade coffee, barista training, traditional coffee machines, bean to cups, coffee carts and counter solutions.
Lincoln & York Ltd – T/A Copper Joe’s
Based: North Lincolnshire
Founded: 1994
About: Copper Joe’s is a coffee brand created by Lincoln & York Limited – a leading UK-based coffee roaster supplying retailers, wholesalers, and hospitality businesses. With over 30 years of experience, they specialise in sourcing, roasting, and packing premium coffee from 40 regions using modern facilities. Their in-house experts, including registered Q Graders, focus on blend matching and bespoke blends, while also providing market insights and sustainability efforts, such as sourcing over 80% Fairtrade, RFA, or organic coffee and achieving Carbon Neutral status in 2023.
Offers: Coffee sourcing, roasting, and packing, Private label partnerships, Flexible packaging options, Blend creation, Market data and insights, Sustainability initiatives
Matthew Algie & Company Ltd
Based: Glasgow, London, Dublin
Founded: 1864
About: Matthew Algie is a coffee partner positioned towards supporting the high street café – providing coffee, training, and the UK’s largest range of coffee machines. Matthew Algie now sells its range of coffee, under various brands and as a white label service, to bars, restaurants, hotels and a range of other business. The company was sold to Tchibo in 2016.
Offers: Sustainable coffee, white label, coffee machine hire, equipment, engineers, barista training courses
Modern Standard Coffee
Based: Fife, London, Essex, Edinburgh
Founded: 2015
About: Modern Standard Coffee is a family of dedicated coffee professionals producing exceptional coffee while prioritizing sustainability and community support. With locations in Fife, Edinburgh, and soon in London, they emphasize transparency and quality throughout their operations.
Offers: Direct trade coffee, wholesale coffee equipment, service and maintenance, barista training, bespoke blends, quality audits.
Paddy and Scott’s
Based: Ipswich & University of Suffolk
Founded: 2007
About: Paddy & Scott’s is a coffee brand with a bold ethos, aiming to support coffee-growing communities globally while catering to adventurous coffee enthusiasts. Founded in 2007 by Paddy, Scott, and their faithful dog Jessie, the journey began with a humble roaster and a dream. Expanding over the years, they’ve opened coffee shops and launched initiatives like the Barista Academy and direct collaborations with farms. Today, they continue their commitment to social impact with projects like Lunch Box coffee, providing meals to children in coffee-growing regions, making their coffee not just a beverage, but a force for good.
Offers: Coffee production and sourcing, Operation of coffee shops, Barista training through the Paddy & Scott’s Barista Academy, Direct collaborations with coffee farms
Ringtons Ltd
Based: Newcastle-upo-Tyne
Founded: 1907
About: Providing tea and coffee since 1907, Ringtons are a family-run business with one of the largest tea manufacturing facilities in the UK. Today, they work with thousands of businesses across several sectors to share their passion for great-tasting tea and coffee.
Offers: Specialty coffee, coffee machines and equipment, teas, private label, bespoke coffees, sweet treats, barista training.
The Nairobi Coffee & Tea Co Ltd
Based: Watford, London
Founded: 1925
About: Roasting coffee in London since 1925, Nairobi coffee offer a premium supplier service to businesses, hospitality, and food service. Leaning strongly into their heritage, Nairobi continue to be an independent, British, family-run business that’s been built around our founders’ passion for coffee.
Offers: Coffee equipment, servicing, training and menu development, coffee beans, freeze dried coffee.
UCC Coffee UK & Ireland (Hot Beverage)
Based: Tilbrook – Milton Keynes, Dartford & Portlaoise
Founded: 1987
About: With a rich heritage rooted in Japan, UCC Coffee has a long history of innovation and quality, dating back to 1933 when Tadao Ueshima founded the company. They’ve been delivering the Total Coffee Solution in the UK & Ireland for over 20 years and operate across major coffee markets in Europe.
Offers: Private label, branded coffee, automated retail, coffee equipment, training, account support, service and maintenance.