From the freshly brewed espresso at Jack’s Café to the world-class coffee brands with showrooms at our venue, the BDC is always abuzz with great coffee culture.
From the freshly brewed espresso served at Jack’s Café to the leading coffee brands that call the Business Design Centre home, coffee culture is woven into everyday life at the BDC.
This September, that passion for coffee takes centre stage as the Caffè Culture Show, the UK’s leading trade event for the speciality coffee and café industry, returns to the Business Design Centre. Taking place on 30 September and 1 October, the event brings together coffee professionals, roasters, café owners, innovators and industry leaders for two days of networking, product discovery and expert insights.
To celebrate the show’s return, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the outstanding coffee businesses based at the BDC, from internationally recognised coffee brands and equipment manufacturers to the experts supporting cafés across the UK.
Located in Units 204 and 315, Illy has become synonymous with premium coffee experiences. Operating in more than 140 countries, the Italian coffee company is renowned for its signature blend, innovative brewing technology and dedication to quality.
Illy established its first BDC showroom a decade ago as the UK base for its Università del Caffè, providing coffee professionals with hands-on training, machine demonstrations and opportunities to deepen their coffee expertise. Since then, the company has expanded its presence within the building.
The vibrant mix of businesses and events at the BDC continues to provide valuable opportunities for brand exposure and customer engagement. Illy’s partnership with Jack’s Café and Good Eating Company has helped bring exceptional coffee experiences to visitors, exhibitors and tenants across the venue.
A great coffee experience starts with great equipment, and Evoca Group helps make that possible. Based in Unit 202, Evoca is the organisation behind some of the industry’s best-known brands, including Gaggia, Necta and Saeco. Their BDC showroom provides an accessible and welcoming environment for customers to explore the latest innovations in professional coffee equipment.
We spoke with Andrew Barrow, Sales Director at Evoca, to learn more about the company.
“The access is fantastic, the welcome for all guests when they arrive is exceptional, and our showroom here has given us the commercial boost that we were hoping for,” says Andrew.
You can read more about Evoca in our Tenant Feature.
With roots dating back to 1864, Matthew Algie has built a reputation as one of the UK’s leading coffee suppliers. From ethically sourced coffee and professional equipment to barista training and café consultancy, the company supports hospitality businesses across the UK and Ireland.
By visiting their showroom located in unit 232, you can discover their extensive offering of expertise, products and acclaimed training programmes.
Another business helping to shape the UK’s coffee sector from the BDC is Brew It Group, specialists in commercial coffee equipment, servicing and technical support.
Working with cafés, restaurants, hotels and hospitality venues throughout the UK, Brew It Group provides tailored coffee solutions designed to help businesses deliver exceptional customer experiences. Their expertise spans equipment supply, installation, maintenance and ongoing support, making them a trusted partner for operators looking to elevate their coffee offering. Their presence further strengthens the Business Design Centre’s reputation as a hub for coffee innovation and industry collaboration.
A Hub for the UK's Coffee Community
The Caffè Culture Show is far more than a trade exhibition. It is a celebration of an industry driven by creativity, craftsmanship and innovation.
Each year, thousands of coffee professionals attend to discover the latest products, sample coffees from around the world, explore emerging trends and hear from leading voices across the sector. The event creates invaluable opportunities for businesses to build connections, launch products and gain fresh inspiration.
For the Business Design Centre, the show reflects something that exists year-round within our venue: a passionate community of coffee businesses, hospitality specialists and industry innovators working side by side.
Whether you’re attending the show, visiting one of our resident coffee brands, or simply enjoying a coffee at Jack’s Café, there’s no shortage of ways to experience the BDC’s thriving coffee culture.
For more information, head to Caffè Culture’s Website.
Or if you are looking for your own showroom or office space to rent in Islington, then get in touch with our team or to keep up to date with all things BDC, sign up to our Newsletter.
