Review of Broughton Park's new Black Sheep Coffee store
There had been Black Sheep Coffee signage at the unit since 2023 - and it finally opened its doors on Thursday (June 26).
Black Sheep Coffee is a rapidly growing chain - with four new UK stores opening this month alone. Its Broughton Shopping Park store is its first in North Wales.
(Image: Newsquest) It prides itself on offering coffee with a difference, and stepping inside I could sense how it differentiates to a lot of other coffee shops.
There was locally-themed artwork on the walls, such as Chester Racecourse and the city walls.
(Image: Newsquest) The chain has become known for its matcha drinks - and I knew I had to try one.
For those who've never tried it, matcha is powdered green tea which is taking the world by storm. The word matcha means "ground tea" in Japanese and comes in the form of a vivid green powder that is whisked with hot water and can be added to milk to make a matcha latte.
Another example of the spraypainted artwork inside. (Image: Newsquest) Matcha is made from leaves called "tencha", which are grown in the shade in the final weeks before their harvest to concentrate the flavour, colour and nutrients.
The strawberry and cream matcha. (Image: Newsquest) There was the sweet, fruity notes from the strawberries mixed with the the grassy, fresh scent of matcha. The combination was surprisingly complementary and inviting, creating a unique taste and perfect for people with a sweet tooth.
(Image: Newsquest) I also tried an ordinary flat white coffee - which was nearly perfect. Balanced, flavourful, and expertly crafted. Their coffee is great for those who want a strong coffee experience without the bitterness or heaviness.
(Image: Newsquest) The shop also offers a range of toasties, bagels, sandwiches, smoothies and milkshakes.
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(Image: Newsquest)Haris Mirza, the franchise owner of the Broughton store, said: "We're really excited to launch in an area where people may well have never tried Black Sheep Coffee before, and we can't wait to welcome them.
"It's a thriving community and shopping area, with 2,000 staff in the shops here alone and Airbus just over the road. We've come to an area where we think it will thrive."
Black Sheep Coffee's motto is 'Leaving the herd behind', which is ironic as people should be flocking there to give it a try.
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Wales Online
5 hours ago
- Wales Online
Long-awaited retail park cafe has arrived but was it worth the wait
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info It's been quite a wait for coffee fans. Signs have been suggesting Black Sheep Coffee were opening a cafe at Broughton shopping centre for some two years. But on Thursday the chain - with branches around the UK - finally flung open their doors. Judging by the response so far it's clear that it's set to be a success. Franchise owners - and husband and wife team - Haris Mirza and Saba Jamshed will run the cafe - in addition to one they operate in Preston. Hari, 41, told me their Preston one took a year to be as popular as this Flintshire one is now so the future looks positive. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here's how to sign up (Image: David Powell) Haris said what makes Black Sheep Coffee is different is its Robusta coffee naturally contains twice as much caffeine as normal Arabica coffee beans but in a good way. It's less acidic and it's more chocolatey and nutty so it's got the right notes. "It's what drove me to open this cafe," he says. "I was literally just a customer like anyone else. I would just go and buy a regular mocha and then I just ended up taking on the franchise. (Image: David Powell) "The Robusta coffee beans come from India and the equivalent of the Arabica beans - which is the Blue Volcano which is fruitier - come from Colombia. There are other coffees as well. "There are so many options to customise - different syrups like hazelnut. caramel....., and whipped cream." Haris says it's a friendly place where staff including him and his wife chat to customers. Customers order at the front, pay at the next counter and collect at the far end. (Image: David Powell) The orders are made on one of three touch screens, much like in McDonald's or M&S cafes. There are lots of bagels, sandwiches and croissants and the like. The meal deals looked good. I went for a Chicken & chorizo farmhouse sandwich, flapjack (in a plastic wrapping) and cappuccino. The drink is from their "Blue Volcano" range and I went for added caramel. It's quite strong and rich and exactly what it's difficult to make at home. There were many Matcha drinks too. Matcha means finely-ground powder of green tea which can be added to milk, water or another drink. While here I had one with lemonade. It tastes rather like Lilt or 7UP, from back in the day, without the fizziness. And while it looks somewhat unappetising it tastes sweetish and light, and with some ice, it was a refreshing pick me up on a warm and muggy day. (Image: Reach plc) The Chicken & chorizo sandwich was on fresh bread and with a cottage cheese filling. That made it lovely and moist and it was delicious. I would have preferred the flapjack not to be in wrapping and to be a bigger square on a plate from the counter. But it was soft and fruity and a lovely snack. The decor was unpretentious, like the Black Sheep Coffee cafe I'd been to in Cardiff. This one has exposed, ventilation ducts, faux distressed plank flooring, breeze blocks and corrugated metal on one wall. They give it an industrial look. (Image: David Powell) The grey artwork personalises this branch. Striking images of two racehorses presumably hurtling around the Roodee circuit (Chester Racecourse) and Roman Chester city walls are a nice choice. It's the first Black Sheep Coffee branch in North Wales - between Clogau and Lush at Broughton retail park. And with a relatively captive audience it should do well. The facts Location: Black Sheep Coffee, Broughton retail park, Flintshire CH4 0DE. Food: Tasty and fresh with imaginative coffees, shots and Matcha teas. Service: Friendly and efficient Atmosphere: Unfussy and relaxed. The bill: Chicken & chorizo farmhouse sandwich, cappuccino with caramel shot and fruit and seed flapjack: £9.38. Verdict: A little piece of cosmopolitan life from a household chain now in North Wales too.
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North Wales Live
6 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Long-awaited retail park cafe has arrived but was it worth the wait
It's been quite a wait for coffee fans. Signs have been suggesting Black Sheep Coffee were opening a cafe at Broughton shopping centre for some two years. But on Thursday the chain - with branches around the UK - finally flung open their doors. Judging by the response so far it's clear that it's set to be a success. Franchise owners - and husband and wife team - Haris Mirza and Saba Jamshed will run the cafe - in addition to one they operate in Preston. Hari, 41, told me their Preston one took a year to be as popular as this Flintshire one is now so the future looks positive. Haris said what makes Black Sheep Coffee is different is its Robusta coffee naturally contains twice as much caffeine as normal Arabica coffee beans but in a good way. It's less acidic and it's more chocolatey and nutty so it's got the right notes. "It's what drove me to open this cafe," he says. "I was literally just a customer like anyone else. I would just go and buy a regular mocha and then I just ended up taking on the franchise. "The Robusta coffee beans come from India and the equivalent of the Arabica beans - which is the Blue Volcano which is fruitier - come from Colombia. There are other coffees as well. "There are so many options to customise - different syrups like hazelnut. caramel....., and whipped cream." Haris says it's a friendly place where staff including him and his wife chat to customers. Customers order at the front, pay at the next counter and collect at the far end. The orders are made on one of three touch screens, much like in McDonald's or M&S cafes. There are lots of bagels, sandwiches and croissants and the like. The meal deals looked good. I went for a Chicken & chorizo farmhouse sandwich, flapjack (in a plastic wrapping) and cappuccino. The drink is from their "Blue Volcano" range and I went for added caramel. It's quite strong and rich and exactly what it's difficult to make at home. There were many Matcha drinks too. Matcha means finely-ground powder of green tea which can be added to milk, water or another drink. While here I had one with lemonade. It tastes rather like Lilt or 7UP, from back in the day, without the fizziness. And while it looks somewhat unappetising it tastes sweetish and light, and with some ice, it was a refreshing pick me up on a warm and muggy day. The Chicken & chorizo sandwich was on fresh bread and with a cottage cheese filling. That made it lovely and moist and it was delicious. I would have preferred the flapjack not to be in wrapping and to be a bigger square on a plate from the counter. But it was soft and fruity and a lovely snack. The decor was unpretentious, like the Black Sheep Coffee cafe I'd been to in Cardiff. This one has exposed, ventilation ducts, faux distressed plank flooring, breeze blocks and corrugated metal on one wall. They give it an industrial look. The grey artwork personalises this branch. Striking images of two racehorses presumably hurtling around the Roodee circuit (Chester Racecourse) and Roman Chester city walls are a nice choice. It's the first Black Sheep Coffee branch in North Wales - between Clogau and Lush at Broughton retail park. And with a relatively captive audience it should do well. The facts Location: Black Sheep Coffee, Broughton retail park, Flintshire CH4 0DE. Food: Tasty and fresh with imaginative coffees, shots and Matcha teas. Atmosphere: Unfussy and relaxed.
