Big Issue vendors to start selling espressos and cappuccinos
Change Please coffee will initially be sold from eight carts in several areas across London
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Big Issue vendors are to start selling espressos and cappuccinos in a bid to cash in on the takeaway coffee market.
A new coffee brand, backed by the Big Issue magazine and sold by people who used to be homeless, is being launched in central London today, with plans to roll it out across the capital.
Change Please coffee will initially be sold from eight carts in several areas, such as Covent Garden and Borough.
Cemal Ezel, co-founder of Old Spike Roastery – which is partnering the scheme – described it as a “win-win” situation as Change Please will serve up premium, ethically sourced coffee while giving the staff a fresh chance of a career. Baristas will be paid the London living wage, allowing them to develop the skills and experience needed to enter the mainstream workforce after six months.
To begin with, about six staff will be brewing up and serving the £2.50 cups of coffee from the back of the three-wheeled vans. This should rise to about 12 staff during the month.
Organisers hope they have found a way to help tackle the housing problem. Mr Ezel said: “We guarantee that this programme will make a significant contribution to helping alleviate the homeless problem across the country – if we can get a small proportion of coffee drinkers to simply change where they buy their coffee, we really could change the world.”
Press Association
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments