House of Glass

Out of all the coastal stretches the UK boasts, Cornwall is arguably the coolest with its great waves and milder climes. The House of Glass café, in surfing mecca Newquay, aims to tap into this vibe with the help of the Start Up Loans programme.

Partners (in life and business) Ellen Caldwell and Kourosh Zahedi were keen to launch a cafe that would also act as a base for their surfing collective. “We wanted to revive surf culture by providing a space where people could come together,” says Ellen.

The duo turned to the Start Up Loans programme, taking out a £15,000 loan via GC Business Finance to fund premises and four staff (including a chef and baristas), stock and marketing. The result is a trendy coffee shop serving a single-estate roast (sourced from The Roasting Room, a mere stone’s throw away) with French pastries and lip-smacking savoury focaccia bread.

When they’re not serving the perfect pour, Ellen tailors hand-stitched wetsuits for Snugg while Kourosh makes surfboards under the brand name ZedSleds. Together, they work on high-profile collaborations including a summer clothing range with fashion house Urban Outfitters, and a surfboard to accompany the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen in a photo-shoot.

This, says Ellen, “is the bread and butter of the business - but every day we welcome people who want to feel comfortable in our space”.

Having initially considered Polzeath, they were drawn by the traction and footfall of Newquay, where a unit had become available in tucked-away Cribbar Yard off the main pedestrian drag. “It’s a hidden gem, and it’s given us a wider community base,” says Ellen.

While you might be used to drinking a free coffee while waiting for a purchase – say, a surfboard or a new car – this also works in reverse: “The coffee is part of the experience – you might buy the board or wetsuit because you had a coffee and a chat and felt part of the experience,” says Ellen.

The principles echo those of the surfing businesses: ethics and sustainability are key. Ellen plugged into the circular economy by upcycling much of the interior decor – for example, yellow-laminate chairs were transformed into wood-look seats, and empty coffee sacks are used to rustic effect - saving both money and the planet.

Meanwhile, sold-out evening events include DJ nights and street food pop-ups. “It’s about bringing people together, over nothing less than good food and drink,” says Ellen.