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NEWS
Award-winning coffee brand BEAR sets eyes on national expansion with latest funding round
BEAR have launched their first crowdfunding campaign…
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EVENT
Oakmere Toyota Fun Day!
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NEWS
BEAR’s Pancake Week: Flipping the Script on Pancakes with a Week-Long Celebration!
Flipping the script on pancake day…
READ MORE12th - 18th FebruaryBEAR, Barons Quay -
NEWS
BEAR, the award-winning independent coffee and lifestyle brand here at Barons Quay, has launched its first-ever crowdfunding campaign, targeting £2 million to support further growth in the Midlands and national expansion. Originating from the Midlands, BEAR serves sustainably sourced speciality coffee, seasonal fresh food, cocktails, and craft beer in beautifully thought-out spaces.
Since opening its first store in 2016, BEAR has expanded to operate from seven locations across the Midlands and Cheshire—Uttoxeter, Derby, Stone, Derbion, Northwich, Ashbourne, and Nottingham—and sold over one million coffees. BEAR aims to more than quadruple its footprint across the UK and plans to open 22 new stores over the next five years.
In 2020, BEAR launched its online store and at-home coffee subscriptions, which have grown organically as we have opened more stores in new neighbourhoods. This ongoing innovation and people-first approach has resulted in 39% revenue growth for the year ended 31 March 2024 compared to the same period the year before. With strong foundations and focus, BEAR has positioned itself as a brand ready for well-planned growth.
Founded by lifelong friends Craig Bunting and Michael Thorley, BEAR began as a business inspired by Craig’s travels in Australia and Michael’s adventurous Royal Marines background. What started in a shed with a supermarket espresso machine has grown into a thriving brand, creating more than 130 jobs locally.
Investors in the campaign will receive a range of rewards, from free coffee and brunch to exclusive discounts and even lifetime subscriptions to BEAR’s at-home coffee range. This is their way of saying thank you for believing in the brand and supporting their journey.
Craig Bunting, Co-Founder of BEAR, expressed his excitement about the campaign:
“Since opening the doors of our first store in 2016, BEAR has become more than just a place to grab a coffee; it’s a community hub where like-minded individuals come together to enjoy great coffee, delicious food, and a welcoming atmosphere. Our brand ethos is built on adventure, connection, and lifestyle, creating spaces that encourage people to connect and share experiences. That’s why, over the past eight years, we have cultivated a fiercely loyal and engaged audience, expanded our online presence, and continuously evolved the brand to meet the needs of the communities that are local to our stores.
“This crowdfunding campaign offers loyal guests, dedicated team members, and coffee enthusiasts across the UK and Europe a unique opportunity to own a part of BEAR and share in its future success.”
Pack your bags; your coffee adventure starts here.
BEAR’s success has always been driven by the support of the community. Whether you’ve enjoyed a flat white in a BEAR store, connected with them online, or even if you’re completely new to the brand but feel engaged with their story, BEAR are inviting you to join them on this new adventure. Their ambition is to continue to create spaces that inspire adventure, connection, and a sense of belonging.
In 2022, BEAR raised investment from family coffee company Clark Group, who are well known for investing in brands including Bremont, Monica Vinader, and Vivobarefoot. BEAR has a winning team backed by experts passionate about growing great brands with shared values.
For more information about BEAR’s crowdfunding campaign and how you can get involved, visit https://bemorebear.co/invest
Join us for a FREE fun day in Barons Quay with Oakmere Toyota on Saturday 10th February 9am-4pm!
Play fun games to win food and drinks vouchers for the incredible Be More Bear, Wildwood and The Dockyardbq 🕺
In a delightful twist to the traditional Pancake Day festivities, BEAR, the beloved independent coffee house, kitchen, and bar brand has announced an entire week dedicated to celebrating the versatility and joy of pancakes. From February 12th – 18th 2024, BEAR is set to host its Pancake Week offering a unique, extended opportunity for pancake aficionados to indulge in a specially curated menu alongside their favourite brunch selections.
BEAR’s Pancake Week menu is a creative homage to the art of pancake-making, featuring a lineup that promises to cater to a wide array of tastes and preferences:
- THE HOMER STACK:
A whimsical stack of American pancakes with jam drizzle, pink icing, hundreds & thousands, crowned with a Project D ‘Homer’ doughnut.
- THE TIRAMISU STACK:
A coffee lover’s dream, topped with coffee syrup, mascarpone, sponge fingers, and chocolate sauce for an Italian-inspired twist.
- THE CHICKEN & BACON STACK:
A savoury blend of bacon, buttermilk fried chicken, house maple syrup, and spring onions, offering a perfect balance of flavours.
- THE BISCOFF STACK:
A treat for cookie butter fans, featuring Biscoff spread, brûlée banana, whipped cream, and a Biscoff crumb topping.
- THE RASPBERRY RIPPLE STACK:
A sweet and tangy offering with raspberry ripple ice cream, raspberry sauce, whipped cream, freeze-dried raspberries, an ice cream wafer, and hundreds & thousands.
Expanding the Joy Beyond a Single Day
BEAR’s innovative approach to extending the pancake celebration from a single day to an entire week is not just about offering more delicious options to their customers; it’s about creating more opportunities for moments of joy and connection in their stores. This event reflects BEAR’s commitment to enhancing the dining experience with creativity and quality, ensuring that every visit is memorable.
Where to Join the Celebration
Right here in Barons Quay, Northiwch!
25.08.23 – it’s a date. 💘
Northwich, BEAR are finally coming for your evenings!
Your Friday & Saturday nights will never be the same again. Get ready for loaded burgers, street food-inspired small plates, cool craft beers and cocktail twists.
Bookings for Later at BEAR Northwich are NOW OPEN! Wanna get in on the fun? Hit book to make it a date😘
Quote from Ethan, Store Manager at BEAR: “We can’t wait to bring Later at BEAR to Northwich. It’s gone down a storm in the other BEAR stores so we’re excited to hear what everyone here thinks of our new menu, new cocktails and new vibe. Not long to go now – the team and I are busy getting ready to get the party started from Friday 25th August, but tables are available to book now via our website. We hope to see lots of you there!”