File this one under “What Took So Long?” - Hyde Park’s first dedicated espresso bar has opened.
We're massively into coffee, and it’s important to do it in a friendly, accessible way
Justin Eniola and Jeremy Gaisie have been supplying coffee to industry and home drinkers from their Yorkshire-based small-batch roastery Pump n Grind, and now they’re brewing and serving it to Leeds’ biggest student community from the new cafe of the same name.
Sitting just opposite Popina’s on Brudenell Road, Pump n Grind is conveniently located en route to (or at least not too much of a detour from) Leeds University, Leeds Beckett, and Leeds College of Art campuses.
As well as offering a concise menu of fresh-roasted espresso and filter coffees, and independent, locally baked treats, the Brudenell Road space also serves as Pump n Grind’s roasting headquarters - Leeds’ fourth coffee roastery, joining North Star, Maude and Cielo - providing customers with a bit of insight into how the drink goes from bean to cup.
This heavy machinery lends an industrial vibe to the place that’s continued in the stripped-back, white-walled, stained wood decor, and the DIY, get-stuck-in spirit extends to Pump n Grind’s ethos, too.
From the beginning, Pump n Grind have donated 20% of their profits to local homeless charity St George’s Crypt, and they’re looking to expand their altruistic attitude with the new cafe.
“A big thing for us is having a positive impact on the local community” says cafe supervisor Chris Marks. “Early next year we’re going to be working with the Crypt to provide employment opportunities to vulnerable adults, and helping unemployed people get back into work”
In addition to pledging profits to St George’s Crypt, all excess coffee is donated to The Real Junk Food Project to be served in their pay as you feel cafes.
“Justin and Jeremy are both massively into coffee, and it’s important for them to do it in a friendly, accessible way - we want to keep everything affordable; because of our location it doesn’t mean we have to compete with places in town, so we can keep prices low, and give everybody chance to try what we do”
Pump n Grind launched Saturday 8 October and is open weekdays 8:30am-4pm, and Saturdays 10am-5pm
Pump n Grind, 52a Brudenell Road, Hyde Park, LS6 1HA
