Falmouth Café Expands with Second Shipping Container Site in Penryn

A Falmouth café owner is proving that you don't need sea views to build a thriving food business. Amelia Smith, the founder of Old Foundry Coffee, has expanded from one converted shipping container to two with the help of a £25,000 loan from the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme.

Brewing Success on Industrial Estates

Amelia first launched Old Foundry Coffee on Tregoniggie Industrial Estate after spotting a gap in the market. A former primary school teacher, she was inspired when her builder husband Jordan complained there was nowhere nearby to grab quality food or coffee.

"I had always flitted between teaching and food, and thought, 'I could do that,'" said Amelia, who had gained experience in pubs and cafés across West Cornwall.

Since then, her menu of sourdough toasties and homemade cakes, using local suppliers such as Vicky's Bread, Foundation Coffee and Trevarthen butchers, has proved popular.

"I love the industrial estate vibe," she explained. "It's not glamorous and there are no sea views, but your customers are all locals and they want nice food. I know them all by name and what they do, and we have a chat.

"It does take a while for people to realise you're there, and there's no passing trade. The first year, I worked by myself, but the business grew year on year."

Three years on, she now employs five staff across two sites, with her new location at Parkengue on Kernick Business Park in Penryn.

Funding the Growth

The expansion was made possible by the Start Up Loan, which paid for a second 20ft container complete with a serving hatch, fitted kitchen and outside seating area.

"The funding gave me the freedom to build the business properly from day one, and having a mentor to guide me through the early stages of development has been invaluable," Amelia said.

When Amelia approached her high street bank, she found that insufficient accounts meant she couldn't secure a loan. Jordan suggested looking into the British Business Bank, but time was tight.

"To qualify for a Start Up Loan, the business has to be less than three years old. Mine was two years and 10 months, so the race was on," Amelia explained.

Fortunately, support came from SWIG Finance Start Up Loans manager Suzy Lowe. "Suzy was great – she has a background in catering herself, and she was on it. We had two months to fill in the application forms, and she helped me get it done with time to spare. It really helped to have an experienced pair of hands to guide me."

Suzy praised Amelia's approach, saying: "Creating a reputable brand that serves industrious workers with nutritious tasty food and drinks, Amelia has taken the roadside offering to a new level. Her vision for expansion has become a reality, all based on the foundation of quality products and exceptional service. It has been a pleasure listening to the pride in her voice when talking about her business and I am thrilled to have helped her achieve phase two."

What's Next for Old Foundry Coffee?

With two containers already serving customers daily, Amelia admits she has her eyes on further growth.

"It took six months to get the first container sorted; the second took six weeks. I'm really excited to recreate them – I think I'd like five."

The new Penryn site is located on land owned by Kernow Coatings, who Amelia says have been "so accommodating and keen to help a local business – and they are keen to have good coffee on site."

Start Up Loans is part of the British Business Bank and offers personal loans of up to £25,000 per director, as well as free mentoring to help anyone start or grow a new or early-stage business. In the South West, the programme is delivered by the Bank's Business Support Partner, SWIG Finance.