Owners of popular independent Bristol café brand say more support needed for local business

The owners of the Hatter House Café, Feras Khoula (left) and M K (right), say that local businesses need more support.
-Credit:Bristol Live


The owners of a popular independent café brand in Bristol say that the opening of a second site in Broadmead has been a good decision despite the notable closures of several Bristol coffee shops, cafés, bakeries and restaurants in recent months. The two owners of the Hatter House Café say big chains will always have an advantage over independent businesses and more support is needed.

The Hatter House Café set up its first site in 2019 on Clare Street, in the city centre, before opening a second branch in Broadmead. The owners, M K and Feras Khoula, have prided themselves on giving the best customer service possible whilst providing high-quality food and drink options.

However, independent coffee shops, cafés and bakeries have been closing across the city in recent months. The Not Found Kitchen, Eden Café and Flour & Ash are amongst some of the businesses to have closed, and M K said that big chains always have an advantage when compared to smaller and local businesses.

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Chilled sandwiches, salads and other lunch items at the Hatter House Café in Broadmead.
Chilled sandwiches, salads and other lunch items at the Hatter House Café in Broadmead. -Credit:Paul Gillis/Reach Plc

M K said: “Big businesses have priority on the location they choose, which is the most important factor for survival. They are in hospitals, stations, and small businesses can’t get in there.

“Big businesses also do not have the day-to-day cash flow challenges that we, as small businesses, all face. All businesses, big and small, are treated the same when it comes to rent, it’s not an easy job. Small businesses are the root of the economy.”

Throughout six years of being in operation, the owners feel that independent businesses and small brands are not supported as well as they should be. M K said: “We need to treat small businesses differently, whether it’s less rent or less expenses, we need more opportunities to be in the right locations. It’s so difficult for any small business.”

Inside the Hatter House Café in Broadmead.
Inside the Hatter House Café in Broadmead. -Credit:Paul Gillis/Reach Plc

The Hatter House Café’s new location, at the former Pret in Broadmead, has been going well as a site since opening. M K and Feras, said they had no concerns over vandalism that took place at the former Pret during the previous year.

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They said: “It has been a very good decision and we are building good success. We took the vandalism into consideration but the location was just so important for us.”

It took around five years for the brand to go from one site up to two, but the owners have revealed that they are planning to expand over the next two years. They said: “We want to have five sites in Bristol, we are hoping to open one new site this year and two next year.

“We want to expand outside of Bristol too, but want to reach five sites here before considering that. We are proud to say ‘Born in Bristol’.

“We are trying to support the local economy and aim to drive positivity and give something else [rather than standard coffee]. For example, each drink can be personalised, one customer had six instructions on their drink, we want to know what each customer would want to drink before they order.”

One way which Hatter House Café is trying to differentiate against bigger businesses is by focusing on the culture, as Feras explained. “In the past, coffee was very important, now coffee forms part of the culture.

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“We use the best raw materials as we believe our customers can taste the difference. But, we want to be the place where everyone goes no matter what they’re doing.

“Our success comes from our customers. Bristol customers deserve the best!”