It's been a while since I've started a new project here on The Coffee Life, mainly because 2020 has thrown a huge spanner in the works regarding me actually sitting down and blogging.
So, welcome to my new project! Interviewing The Coffee Industry.
2020 has been hard for just about everyone, so I thought it would be fun to speak to some people (since I haven't been able to talk to anyone in person this year!)
We're starting off with a super exciting one (although all of the interviews are very exciting!) with the lovely Ceiran Trigg.
How are you?
I can’t complain. I’m snuggled up, drinking an amazing coffee from Morgon and have the smell of Deanna’s S’more cookies heading my way from the kitchen.
Where do you work and what is your role?
I am one of the directors and more importantly barista of Ancestors Coffee in Norwich, which I run with my partner Deanna.
How has Coronavirus affected your job?
We are pretty fortunate In the fact we are tiny! It’s just myself and Deanna Monday - Friday and I’m joined by a single member on the weekends with short hours. We’ve not even had to think about letting staff members go. We’ve pretty much aimed to keep the business active during the lockdowns, so the biggest adjustment has been transitioning from barista to courier (initially making me realise I how unfit I’ve become!) When lockdown hit we adapted and brought in collection and delivery services in and around Norwich. It was pretty set in stone that no where should be open. Doorstep deliveries would happen daily at a time that suited us, and we had brief interactions with our customers which was nice. With everywhere closed the demand for coffee and cake was high!
Once we reopened. We pretty much picked up where we left off and intend to do the same in December.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in the coffee industry through 2020?
Keeping people interested in quality and ethical trading I think. As a plant based establishment, we run a much lower profit margin to most coffee shops, including other specialty locations. With many facing lower incomes or redundancies, it’s obvious that the cheaper options are much more appealing to the majority of people. We aren’t able to offer discounts or deals as we price match dairy, so would run at a loss if we were to do so. Prets £20 a month card, £1 coffees before 12 or buy a coffee and get a pastry free are popping up left right and centre to draw people in which we can’t touch.
How have you felt about the Coffee Industry this year?
Very appreciative. After working in the industry for such a long time, and working with so many amazing people, it kind of becomes the normal, the every day habit. I’ve been allowed a bit of time to really sit back and enjoy what I’m drinking and appreciate all the work that’s gone into cup from myself, right back to origin. This year has had some truly amazing offerings. It’s rekindled my love for the product definitely.
What is something you’ve missed in the coffee industry in 2020?
Cupping! The social interactions at cupping events. Lengthy discussions while seeing the timer is closing in on the 1h45mins since water contact.
We attempted a zoom cupping and a distanced cupping over lockdown but it just wasn’t the same. I’m eagerly anticipating the first cupping session.
How has coronavirus/being out of work/lockdown affected your mental health
Initially, with the first lockdown, it was actually really needed. We set up Ancestors in early 2017, and since day one, we’ve pretty much worked solidly up until the day we went into lockdown. We’ve had a weekend off here and there, and gone away in that time, but never a rest period. More of a ‘We’ve got time off, let’s make the most of it and do things!’.
The first day we went into lockdown there was no alarm, nothing we had to do, no necessary time keeping. It was lovely. Naturally the waiting period for grants and to find out more became stressful over time. But we tried to not to think about it and just focus on the positives. We had time to spend together as a family without work getting in the way.
There was moments where it was quite unsettling not knowing what would happen moving forward and we had low moments, We found isolating ourselves from social media and the news however combated that very well.
We already miss the quality time we had during that period.
Homeschooling sucks though.. don’t miss that!
This second lockdown however, we are finding quite brutal. I think it’s mostly down to the seasonal change. It’s darker, colder and the days feel so short. It’s much more exhausting. It also doesn’t really feel like a lockdown. Most places are still open, our little boy is still in school, everyone’s off to work. It feels as if the hospitality industry is being punished for no reason.
We had intended to close for the month and simply do the same as the last lockdown. But when venturing into the town centre, the majority of places are still open for takeaway and there was a heavy guilty feeling as we weren’t. Norwich is very small though, after about 3 days we had already done all we could do and decided to open up as well. It’s been trading very well considering.
What are you looking forward to in 2021?
I am massively craving a weighty coffee crawl. In a city I’ve yet to visit where every shop can be a new experience. Definitely going to be aiming to travel more, Get out of the Norwich bubble as much as possible.
Find Ceiran
Instagram - Click Here
Follow Ancestors Coffee - Here
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