A new independent coffee shop serving speciality coffee and tasty bagels has opened in Selly Oak, creating seven new jobs.
Myles Hibbs has opened Hey Brew Espresso on the Bristol Road, offering coffee, brunch, lunch and on-the-go options for hungry foodies and coffee connoisseurs.
Its menu centres around locally sourced and freshly baked produce, ranging from pastries, cakes to bagels, with bagel options including Peanut Butter Jelly Time – peanut butter served with homemade jam – and Wake Up Call – made up of Nutella and sliced banana.
Myles, 28, from Coventry, has worked the hospitality circuit since he was 14, applying his skills to various roles from runner, to front-of-house, and management.
He previously co-owned a coffee shop in Warwick, but now hopes to brew success of his own with the help of Leamington lawyers Wright Hassall, after solicitor Nathan Hinks secured a five-year lease on his new unit.
Myles initially eyed sites as far as the Cotswolds but jumped at the chance to snap up a prime spot in the heart of Selly Oak, having held ambitions to open a coffee shop there ever since living in the neighbourhood whilst studying at university.
He said: “Eight or nine years ago I was looking at places and thought it would be a great spot to chill, so it’s fantastic to now come full circle with Hey Brew Espresso!
“Footfall is key and this site is located just off the main university campus on the main road, so I can’t thank Nathan enough for helping make this happen – he’s been a fantastic support.
“We are not necessarily inventing the wheel with what we do, we are just providing good quality coffee and tasty food under a cool brand in a nice place where people can hang out.”
Myles previously co-owned Morning Sunshine at Warwick Parkway Station, before selling his share of the business to launch his own shop.
After Wright Hassall secured his lease, he spent £45,000 refurbishing the unit, which has 53 covers and an outside courtyard for guests.
Nathan, who is an Associate Solicitor within Wright Hassall’s commercial real estate team, added: “I am delighted to have played a part in helping Myles get his own coffee shop up and running and I know how happy he is to have secured a great spot in Selly Oak.
“He has some great speciality coffee from suppliers including all-female roaster Girls Who Grind, fresh cakes from local specialists, and some great brunch options. He’s also got plans to launch craft cocktail nights in the future.
“He’s got off to a good start already attracting lots of customers and he has created seven new jobs in the process too and expects to take on more staff soon.
“It’s already proving to be a fantastic addition to the independent café scene in Birmingham.”