Follow Coffee Company, an award-winning Ballymena business offering speciality coffee, delicious food, and baked treats, has opened a second branch in Portrush, marking a significant investment of £50K and creating five new jobs in the local community.
The opening of Follow Coast is a milestone moment for owners, Lesley and Mark McCaughan, who acquired the thriving business in Ballymena just one week before the Covid lockdown. Despite hugely challenging trading conditions, the business excelled and has become a multi-award winning, central hospitality hub in the borough, known for its welcoming ambience, fabulous food and delicious Fidella coffee.
Lesley and Mark are now delighted that their unique family business has now reached the seaside town of Portrush.
Speaking at the opening of Follow Coast, Lesley McCaughan, said she is excited to be back in Portrush where she attended Catering College over two decades ago. “We are so delighted to be finally opening our doors of Follow Coast today.”
“This has been the culmination of three months of hard work and significant investment and we are incredibly proud to finally welcome our first customers through the doors.
“As a family, we have so many fond memories of going to Portrush for days and nights out and so to expand here just feels very natural and fitting.”
Mark and Lesley are very hands-on and they have spent every evening and weekend at the new premises to complete the fit-out, alongside local contractors, to bring Lesley’s vision and the Follow brand to life in Coast.
“The past few years have been a real roller coaster and we are so happy to have survived and even thrived throughout the pandemic by adapting to new challenges.
“We had to pivot very quickly as took over Follow Coffee in mid-February 2021 and just two weeks later whole of the world went into Lockdown.
“Thankfully, we had already purchased a horse box, with the aim of doing events and outside catering. So, with all of those cancelled, we positioned it in front of our Ballymena shop, to offer takeaway drinks and treats, whilst we worked behind the scenes on developing our food offering. I knew there was a huge gap in the market for tasty, locally sourced food that was nutritious, wholesome and delicious. So, a great deal of care, time and effort went in to ensuring the menu was just right.
“Mark then worked every evening and weekend to completely revamp the premises, all whilst working full-time. The end result was something we are both very proud of.
“People came from far and wide to get their daily Follow coffee and for that we will be forever grateful, as this has given us a fantastic customer base that continues to support us to this day."
Being thrust into adapting and overcoming Covid-19 challenges, meant this young brand had to grow and adapt quickly, though the vision was always to expand.
"It now feels like a real homecoming for me to bring a taste of Follow to Portrush, and I'm thrilled to bring our specialty coffee and food to this beautiful coastal town. We have already seen a few familiar faces through the door, which is just lovely."
Follow Coast has seating for 28 people, and is nestled in the heart of the town on Main Street, and is perfect for customers wanting to enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee or a delicious meal with friends and family. The establishment also features a grab-and-go offering for customers on the move.
The expansion of Follow Coffee to Portrush is an exciting development for the area, and the new business is committed to investing in the community and creating jobs.
"We're excited to become a part of the local community and to bring Coast to life here," Lesley concluded.
The opening of Follow Coast in Portrush is a testament to the success and growth of the business, and the new location presents an excellent opportunity for Follow Coffee to expand its customer base and increase its presence in the local Portrush area.
For more information on Follow Coast, please visit their Facebook page.