Blog
East Anglia’s Coffee Scene Then And Now
At Butterworth & Son, we’ve spent over two decades working with cafes, restaurants and food businesses across East Anglia. In that time, the coffee scene has changed beyond recognition. With the Velvet Food & Drink Awards 2026 celebrating the very best of our region, it feels like the right moment to reflect on how far things have come, and what really makes a great coffee shop today.
Looking back, the coffee scene certainly got a lot better. Twenty years ago, there simply weren’t that many coffee shops around, and the state of the industry was very different. I would often visit prospective clients and spend time cleaning their equipment, showing them how to use it properly, or dialling in grinders. In most cases, provide help on how to use a dosing grinder, which was standard before grind-on-demand (GOD) technology became widespread. YouTube hadn’t really taken off yet, and there was a real lack of knowledge around coffee barista skills.
One of the biggest shifts we saw was in standards and expectations. We were the first coffee company, certainly in East Anglia, to promote and offer grind-on-demand grinders. The GOD grinders were revolutionary and really helped keep the coffee fresh. The emphasis in the East Anglia coffee market was on cheap prices, which massively impacted the final quality and ultimately sales. Once cafes realised that investing in good equipment and quality coffee led to better sales, it was a big game-changer. That shift from cost-driven decisions to quality-led thinking was a real turning point for the region.
So what separates a good coffee shop from a great one?
It always starts with quality and a passion for coffee. Customers who purchase good equipment, buy good coffee and take advantage of the free barista training we offer are the most successful. Since the market has plenty of average coffee shops, why offer basic beans and fail to learn how to make coffee correctly or clean the equipment? You only have to look around the market and see that some of the best cafes in the area use Butterworth & Son.
Hospitality also plays a huge role. Great coffee on its own is not enough. It has to be paired with good service, a welcoming atmosphere, and a space people want to spend time in. That combination is what turns a one-off visit into a regular habit.
We are fortunate to work with many dedicated businesses across the region. While we try to stay focused on our own work, we respect many people in the industry for the hard work and dedication they bring to their businesses. Beth & Hannah from Applaud Coffee recently sold their business, but we always admired their love for it – the time, effort and dedication they put in. They were always positive and involved in the wider industry, attending the London Coffee Festival and Latte Art Competitions.
That is why awards like the Velvet Food & Drink Awards matter. They recognise excellence and push people to constantly think about how to improve. If everyone keeps improving, this will help raise this region’s quality cafes above others. A win-win for all in the area.