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Support for homegrown independent traders drives Ground expansion

Northern Ireland’s fastest growing coffee house, Ground Espresso Bars is set to rival high street chains such as Costa and Starbucks with the announcement of their fifth new store opening in just eight months and a healthy increase in annual turnover of 33% for the period of 2014 - 2015.

The company which is set to open their 14th store in Magherafelt this September, is investing £150k in a new standalone store, which will create 15 new jobs in the Mid Ulster area and bring Grounds’ employee count to over 150.

Since opening their first store in Coleraine, in 2001 Grounds’ vision was to become the only chain of coffee bars in Northern Ireland that can maintain a local, family friendly, welcoming atmosphere, in partnership with excellent coffee, served with innovation, in an ethical manner. With a portfolio of 14 stores the Ground team can stand over this vision and even put it down to their success.

Commenting on the announcement Jonny Ross , Regional Manager, Ground Espresso Bars said “We have had a fantastic year so far, our newest stores from Dublin to Derry are thriving, and we put this down to support from the local consumers, who are driving independent retail outlets in our towns and cities”.

Jonny adds, “We have found that consumers are bucking the trend of going to the high street stores and opting for local independents such as ourselves, and this may well be because consumers now know their coffee, and expect more from their chosen coffee house. Like many independents in Northern Ireland, we offer quality coffees and local produce, coupled with friendly welcoming, local staff and will continue to do so, even with our expansion.”

Employing over 150 staff across 14 stand-alone stores and concessions in Northern Ireland, Ground Espresso Bars’ mission is to provide a haven for customers where comfort, friendship, happiness, quality and ethics become synonymous with their name.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ursula .