A handy coffee stop is all set to perk up weary walkers and cyclists with the opening of a new business by two friends who have fulfilled their long-held ambition.
Pals Jo Gilbert and Emily MacGregor had long planned how their dream café would look and, while working together in medical jobs at the University Hospital of North Durham, they spent their breaks imagining its design and menu. And now, after tapping into business support, they have opened Some Beans in the centre of Rowlands Gill in Gateshead.
While Jo and Emily had their idea in mind for years, Some Beans took shape within 12 weeks, transforming premises – a former ice cream parlour – into the only coffee shop in the village, where it is well placed to cater for passing cyclists, hikers and dog walkers from the Derwent Walk who might want take-outs as well as those wanting to sit in.
Jo, who worked as a senior biomedical scientist in the hospital’s blood transfusion department before leaving to run her new business full-time, said: “Suddenly it all just snapped into place. We were in the village one afternoon and found out the local ice cream parlour was closing down and the shop was becoming vacant.
“It was an absolutely perfect location. There aren’t any other coffee shops in the village so we knew it would be serving a real need of the community too.”
Jo Gilbert, left, at her coffee shop Some Beans with Nham Lee, business advisor from North East BIC
(Image: PR)
She explored the internet for business start-up advice and, after contacting Gateshead Council, she discovered she was eligible for free specialist support from the Enterprising North Programme. This is designed to help those aiming to start a new business or in the early days of trading and is delivered by partners across Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland.
Jo was helped by business advisor Nham Lee from the North East BIC agency and joined a network to learn new skills and attract finance. Following 10 weeks of support and many weekends and evenings after work spent transforming the premises, with the help of family and friends, the neighbourhood coffee shop opened its doors and is now selling hot drinks, cakes and light bites.
Co-owner Emily is still working at the hospital as a haematologist but the keen foodie helps to bake the shop’s produce in her spare time and also has a calendar of supper clubs planned for the coming year. Jo may have chosen a career change but she does not think it too far removed from her old job.
“It might sound strange but there are lots of similarities when it comes to running a lab and a kitchen,” she said. “There are lots of risk assessments, schedules and finances but I’m pleased to say I’ll be a lot closer to the people I’m taking care of now!”
Jo Gilbert behind the counter of Some Beans in Rowlands Gill
(Image: PR)
“We actually hope the patients and staff of the nearby community hospital will be among our regulars.” She said she had been amazed at the amount of business support available, with her weekly meetings with Nham leading to e-learning and help in providing a grant.
“There’s so much information on the internet that can be so confusing and contradictory,” she said. “I really feel like I fell on my feet with the guidance that I’ve been given and the people I’ve met.”
And she added: “I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved in such a short space of time. It feels amazing.”
Nham has been delighted to see Jo’s plans bear fruit and said: “With her clear vision, passion and can-do attitude, Some Beans will soon be at the very heart of its community providing Jo and Emily with an exciting new chapter in their lives.
“The Enterprising North Programme was set up to help those with a desire to start up their own business and make the leap into self-employment and Jo is a great example of how it is enabling people to do just that.” For more about the Enterprising North Programme see here.