A COFFEE shop with a twist is serving up dozens of enticingly flavoured coffees from a takeaway window in Colchester town centre.

James Channon, 25, opened new venture Sir Isaac’s Artisan Coffee, in Sir Isaac’s Walk, last month.

The shop, which also has room for two groups to sit inside, benefits from its takeaway window, offering quick, easy and socially distanced coffees.

The vegan-friendly business also serves up hot chocolates you can’t get anywhere else in the town, thanks to a deal with firm Whittard of Chelsea.

“We have about 35 plus different flavoured coffee beans, some flavoured and some more traditional – from Kenya and around Africa, to Costa Rica and Guatemala,” said James.

“We have six different types of plant-based milk, from coconut, almond to hemp and sproud – a lot of vegan options.

“We sell cookies, tray bakes and pastries, and gluten-free options as well as dairy-free options.

“The Whittards chocolate covered coffee beans come in six different varieties and have been really popular.”

James, from Colchester, who previously ran a market stall, decided to open a coffee shop which would provide a much more extensive offering than many of the big-name brands.

Gazette: Service - Manager Paul and owner James at the takeaway windowService - Manager Paul and owner James at the takeaway window

“We make sure all our coffee cups are recycled; they are taken back to the supplier,” he said.

“The shop also has a gift range including things like crockery and hand-made marshmallows, nougat and fudge.

“There are also chocolate bars made with our own coffee beans, gift hampers and lemon and hazelnut cannoli.

“We feel our products offer something different to what you might get in other places in Colchester – some of our brands are exclusive to us in the town.

“You can come in for a coffee, smell the beans, try them and come away with a bag for yourself.”

He added: “Although Covid has made things difficult for everyone, we hope people will think of us when they are in town.

“We are share an entrance with Dough and Co pizza, so people can grab a coffee while they wait for their meal or afterwards.”

Gazette: Flavours - coffee-lovers can sample dozens of different beansFlavours - coffee-lovers can sample dozens of different beans

The takeaway window is open from 8am until 5pm, with the shop open from 8.30am until 4.30am, Monday to Saturday.

On Sundays, the window is open from midday until 2pm.

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