Bringing Better Coffee to Campus
Location: Farnham, Epsom, Canterbury
Sector: Education / University Catering
Project Scope: Equipment Installation, Coffee Supply, Barista Training, Ongoing Support
Number of Outlets: 6
Equipment Installed: Sanremo ZOE Espresso Machines, Anfim Pratica Grinders
Coffee Chosen: Roots Blossom (Fairtrade Blend from Peru & Brazil)
The Challenge
Like many large institutions, the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) works with a procurement partner, Pelican Procurement Services, to manage supplier decisions across catering and refreshment services.
When the coffee offering on campus began falling short of expectations, Head of Catering Steve Dickson decided it was time for a change. Staff and students were regularly opting to walk off campus for better coffee. Feedback pointed to low-quality beans, unreliable equipment, and a lack of training or support from the existing supplier. Steve tasked Pelican with finding a better option, and they recommended Bridge Coffee Roasters.
The Solution
Our first step was to sit down with Steve and his team to understand what wasn’t working, and what needed to change. It was clear they weren’t looking for showy third-wave coffee, but consistently good coffee at a fair price, with reliable support behind it.
To help reassure the team, and ensure students would respond well to the switch, we sent over samples of our Roots Blossom blend for taste testing before any commitment was made. The reaction from both students and staff was resoundingly positive.
From there, we carried out detailed site surveys across UCA’s three campuses and six coffee outlets, covering:
- Equipment and electrical requirements
- Water filtration needs
- Workflow efficiency
- Cup volumes and daily footfall
The Equipment
UCA’s needed high quality, reliable machines that could produce fantastic coffee at an entry level price point. We recommended:
- Sanremo ZOE Espresso Machines – reliable, easy-to-use, and perfect for education sites
- Anfim Pratica Grinders – consistent grind quality, intuitive controls
This setup struck the right balance between performance and price, capable of delivering high volumes without the complexity of a speciality café setup.
Installation and Training
Installation of all six sites took place just five weeks after contracts were signed, thanks to the preparation from our site surveys. Our engineers ensured all equipment was PSSR compliant, and baristas were given on-site training by our team, led by trainer Nikolay.
Post-installation, UCA enrolled in our Gold Service Package, covering:
- Free support, servicing, and repairs
- Guaranteed engineer callout times
- Annual safety inspections and PSSR checks
The Coffee – Roots Blossom
After taste testing with students and joining us for a roastery visit, the UCA team chose Blossom, a medium-roast Fairtrade blend from Peru and Brazil. It’s part of our Roots Collection and is particularly popular in the education sector for its balanced flavour and ethical credentials.
The Outcome
One year on, Steve says the difference is clear.
Students and staff no longer feel the need to head to the high street for a quality coffee—and the coffee offering is no longer a source of stress. Even the university’s Chief Operating Officer now regularly visits the refectory for his cappuccino—something Steve says would never have happened before.
With six upgraded outlets, ongoing training and support, and better coffee in every cup, UCA has built a dependable offer that staff and students are proud of.
What did they say?
“From the first day of install, the feedback from staff and students has been fantastic. They no longer have to walk down the high street to get a good cup of coffee, they can get it here, on campus, at a better price and with better quality. For me, it took all the pressure and stress away instantly.”
— Steve Dickson, Head of Catering, University for the Creative Arts
“Dear Steve & Grant, I would like to take this opportunity to thank your install team for an amazing job last week. They installed the machines without any issues and did a very smooth job. They also, without question, removed the old machines as well. Please pass on my thanks to the team and I look forward to working together going forward.”
— On-site feedback from facilities management