A TRIO of businessmen are celebrating the launch of their fourth coffeehouse, calling it their “best store yet”.

Toast, run by pals Dan Pearson, Louis McNamee and Robert Ely, has opened a new shop in Witham.

The brand's first coffee house opened in Braintree in February 2020, after the trio decided to launch a new business together.

Gazette: Rob, Louis and Daniel founded the business in 2020Rob, Louis and Daniel founded the business in 2020 (Image: N/A)

Toast serves a variety of hot and cold drinks, milkshakes, toasties and sandwiches.

Gazette: Toast Witham is now openToast Witham is now open (Image: N/A)

The first cafe opened just before the country went into the first coronavirus lockdown in March 2020, but managed to adapt and survived the pandemic.

Gazette: The newest shop is the fourth Toast now openThe newest shop is the fourth Toast now open (Image: N/A)

The business has continued to expand since then, opening three more branches in Chelmsford, Sudbury and Walthamstow, although the London cafe eventually closed.

Gazette: The business celebrated its opening last weekThe business celebrated its opening last week (Image: N/A)

Announcing the news earlier in the year, the new Witham branch is now open for business.

 

Gazette: The new Toast Witham is open every dayThe new Toast Witham is open every day (Image: N/A)During the preparation and leading up to the opening of their Toast Witham store, co-founder Rob said: “We would often hear ‘not another coffee shop’ from Witham residents.

“We understand why people might think that, but we are not just another coffee shop. We are different on the inside and outside.

“Since Costa was bought out by Coca Cola in 2019, the high street is dominated by coffee shops not ultimately UK-based nor dedicated to supporting the local economy.

“Following Brexit and Covid there has become a growing appetite to support local and British, and here at Toast we’re championing just that.”

Gazette: The new Toast Witham shopThe new Toast Witham shop (Image: N/A)

Toast works heavily with independents, producers and farmers, with a strong focus on being environmentally focused and committed to supporting the local community.

Gazette: Toast serves a variety of hot and cold drinks, milkshakes, toasties and sandwichesToast serves a variety of hot and cold drinks, milkshakes, toasties and sandwiches (Image: N/A)

As a zero-waste company, the business strives to use recycled materials in their packaging and has recently introduced takeaway boxes manufactured in the UK from recycled cardboard, which can be recycled again and again”.

The new Toast can be found in Newland Street and is open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, and 9am to 4pm on Sundays.

For more information, visit lovetoast.co.uk.