The general manager of one of Blackburn’s longest serving coffee shops has shared why it's important to support independent businesses across East Lancashire.
Richard Isherwood, of Exchange Coffee Company, is the general manager of the business, which has stores in Blackburn’s Fleming Square, in Wellgate, Clitheroe, and in Skipton, as well as cappuccino bars in Blackburn and Todmorden.
The shops have an exhaustive list of different teas and coffees to choose from and each cup is made with delicacy and care for the customers.
In addition to the warm and homely feeling you get when you sit down with a brew in any of the Exchange Coffee shops, it’s the “uniqueness of us roasting our own coffee beans in front of customers that keeps people coming back to us,” says Richard.
Before the pandemic, “people would use cafes as a place to meet up with friends,” Richard explained, but Covid has changed the way people interact so there’s been a loss of Exchange Coffee customers in Blackburn since the lockdown.
However, one of the positives was the increase in online sales and the business has found ways to continue thriving.
Richard said: “If you can deliver a good coffee product with a smile you’ve got a fighting chance.”
The independent chain prides itself on its uniqueness and willingness to embrace creativity.
A theatre company is running a Coffee Shop Musical in July and Richard is eager to take part in similar events.
He said: “We want to try new things and get creative. Blackburn just had the Festival of Making Festival and the first Blackburn Pride event, and we had so lots of customers from other areas on those weekends so people enjoy things like that.”
Housed within the grand old building of the Exchange Arcade, next door to the Blackburn shop, there is a private dining room called the ‘1849 room’ which can be hired by groups for special occasions or business meetings. 
“We’ve actually just booked our first wedding there which is brilliant,” added Richard “so we really want to try and push getting involved with fun things like that.”
It's been a difficult period for independent businesses over the last few years, but Richard emphasised the importance of continuing to support independent where possible.
He said: “I think you just get better value for money with products you just can’t get anywhere else.
“And you don’t want to see non-independent businesses as a negative because they of course hire people too, but with independent you know you’ll be speaking to people with a passion for the product and a knowledge.”
The nephew of the owner of a Brazil plantation where Exchange Coffee purchases their beans from even visits the stores to share his stories and knowledge with the staff.
Richard continued: “You go different towns, and they all look the same with the same high street brands.
"So, if we don’t support independent businesses then one day they just won’t be here anymore and that would be a real shame.”
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