Spaces of Community: Exploring the dynamics of the cafe industry

The café industry in the UK has been one of the most successful retail sectors for several years expanding in size and form across the country. In 2016 there were over 22,000 cafés in the UK with a turnover over of £8.9 billion, with this expected to grow to at least 32,000 outlets and £16 billion by 2025 (Allegra Strategies, 2017). While the economic impact of cafés has been acknowledged, less has been said about the role these cafés play in the communities in which they are located. With such a growing presence in communities across the UK, these spaces have the potential to play various roles in communities; they are more than just places to get a caffeine fix. This study explores how café businesses seek to engage and embed themselves in their communities to consider the social and cultural role of cafés.