I’M mulling, pondering future articles, chewing my lip, meditating, basking in imagination and daydreaming about boys… and it's costing me 5p a minute.
For the price of one grande latte at Starbucks, you could spend an hour in Ziferblat and drink a wellie-full of coffee.
Ziferblat, the just-opened Northern Quarter cafe-cum-workspace on Edge Street is a first for the city, the innovative coffeehouse charges customers not for beverages but by the amount of time spent there. Even the cakes, cereal, biscuits and 'super' wi-fi are free.
As a writer, archetypally known for taking up good coffee shop space, I may become Ziferblat's very first squatter.
Inside Zifeblat
The concept began in Moscow in 2011, and there's now ten established cafes in Russia. 'Ziferblat' translated means 'clock face', and was introduced to allow guests to mull, rather than rush. You can sit without feeling obliged to buy something.
Now Ziferblat - which first opened in the UK in London's Shoreditch (where else?) in early-2014 - plan to open a pay-per-minute space in every University town in the UK and beyond.
Ziferblat
The Northern Quarter branch is an impressive space too.
Ziferblat is hidden at the top of an unassuming office block, and much like travelling up the lift at Tower 12 to find Manchester House, you're suprised by the large, sun-drenched space that welcomes you. Upon arrival you're met by two friendly hosts who take your name, give you a clock to count minutes and insist "you make yourself at home".
And you do, Ziferblat works on a serve yourself basis and customers are encouraged to head to the kitchen and help themselves.
"Make yourself at home" - cheers Bill
Regardless of what your ideal home is, Ziferblat sets out to be a 'home-from-home' for everyone. The one-level space is sectioned into two halves: there's the Grandparent's living room that sticks to autumnal colours and upholstered furniture with a chess board and soon-to-arrive piano, and there's the modern workspace with Ikea-type design, fluffy throws and feature wall.
More homey feel
“A lot of coffee shops are designed so people don’t spend a lot of time there,” says Ziferblat's smiley host Bill. "Here we've split the room into a space for people who want to relax, socialise and for those who want to spend a few hours working.
"Soon, we'll be expanding the space to include a second room," says the other host Imogen. "Once we get going they'll be events on too."
Ziferblat welcomes donations from regulars, but for such a professional and slick space it really doesn't feel like they need it.
They've not lumped guests with cheap coffee either, serving beans from speciality roasters in Ancoats, and Ziferblat plan to introduce free sandwiches on top.
For the price of one grande latte at Starbucks, you could spend an hour in Ziferblat and drink a welly-full of coffee.
The Kitchen
Ziferblat Manchester has only been open three days, but news has spread with pace and NQ trendies are flocking. Treat it like you would your own home; plates are in the bottom cupboard, clean up after yourself and nip out on the balcony for a smoke if you so please.
Traditionally, coffee house characters fall into two camps; those on a freightrain fast schedule who want their coffee lickety-split and the people-watchers who enjoy time wasted in pretty surroundings.
Ziferblat caters perfectly for the latter camp. And I for one will enjoy taking my time here.
ZIFERBLAT | 23 Edge Street| M4 1HW | @ZiferblatEdgeSt
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