BOSSES of a popular independent coffee chain in Essex say they are “excited” as a new branch is set to open in Colchester.

Toast is coming to Culver Square in the city centre, as the brand opens its fifth store.

The coffee shop is going to fill the empty unit left when Costa moved out of Culver Square. 

The brand's first coffee house opened in Braintree in February 2020 and was started by pals Louis McNamee, Daniel Pearson and Robert Ely.

It also has stores in Chelmsford, Sudbury and Witham.

Gazette: Owners - Dan Pearson, Louis McNamee and Rob ElyOwners - Dan Pearson, Louis McNamee and Rob Ely (Image: N/A)

Mr Ely said: “We have been looking at Colchester for a while and put the offer in nearly a year ago, it has taken longer than we’d hoped.

“We finally got it completed about six weeks ago and started work about two weeks ago.

“We hope to open in mid to late July.”

Gazette: New - The Toast Witham shop which opened in AprilNew - The Toast Witham shop which opened in April (Image: N/A)

Toast has been a hit since it opened in Braintree and has expanded its empire along the A12 corridor.

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

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

Mr Ely said: “From a product perspective we position ourselves similar to the likes of Costa and Starbucks.

“So, in a sense we are a version of those, but we are proud we are just three mates running these shops.

“We’ve built them up so can be considered more of an independent rather than a big corporation, just three local lads trying to take on the big boys.

“We pride ourselves on our local network of suppliers and are also really big on sustainability, so you can take our coffee cups and put it in your household recycling or even compost.

“Our toastie boxes can also be recycled and we try to use as much recyclable materials as possible in everything.

“From a price point we also always try to sit beneath the bigger corporations, which is great because we think the quality and taste is better.”

Gazette: Boss - Rob has said he is excited to bring the Toast brand to ColchesterBoss - Rob has said he is excited to bring the Toast brand to Colchester (Image: Warren Woodcraft)

On the opening in Colchester, Rob added: “We can’t wait, we are really excited.

“We have exclusivity, so no other coffee shops go in the square.

“We will have an outside seating area, we are opening up the balcony and having workstations on the first floor for laptops.

“Overall, it should be a good shop and we can’t wait.”