Mangobean has been opened by John and Dawn Steer in the Green Oaks Shopping Centre in Widnes and is part of a franchise group which has 14 other outlets throughout the UK. Tony McDonough reports
A couple who dreamed of running their own business have made it a reality thanks to backing from Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF).
Mangobean has been opened by John and Dawn Steer in the Green Oaks Shopping Centre in Widnes.
The café is part of a franchise group which has 14 other outlets throughout the UK.
MSIF provided a £50,000 loan as part of a £220,000 investment package which included a loan from HSBC.
The funding has been used for start-up costs including securing and fit out of premises, equipment and staff.
The café offers a range of different coffee blends including coffee cocktails made using different blends and flavours, fresh fruit and veg smoothies, salads and waffles.
John Steer said: “I worked in IT in senior roles for blue chip companies for 25 years and I became increasingly disenchanted with the corporate world.
“I’d been thinking about running my own business for a while and started to research different business ideas.
“I love coffee and it is still a growing market in the UK so I began to look at ways in which I could start something.
“Becoming a franchisee has lots of benefits as there is a ready-made business model, supply chain and lots of support so I decided this was the best route for me to go down.
“I researched lots of different brands however Mangobean stood out as it has a great reputation for quality and that’s why I decided to go with them.
“We opened at the beginning of March and we have been very busy. It’s a great location and we’re already getting repeat business from customers.”
MSIF investment manager George Wright added: “There is a lower risk associated with start-up businesses that are part of a franchise.
“Mangobean has an excellent business model and is successful in its other outlets.