Hi, my name is Nick and I need help to keep our coffee shop open.

Help keep The Coffee Camp open

Like so many small businesses We are struggling to keep our doors open with Covid debt dragging us down and continued rising costs of everything from utilities and staffing costs to food and drink ingredients. As a result we will have to close if we can’t raise the funds needed to continue.

Much of our equipment is failing and the shop is in desperate need of repair but because of the above we just can’t afford to make these much-needed changes.

We opened our doors in late 2018 and not a year later the Covid virus meant we had to borrow to stay open, this borrowing then became unaffordable at such an early stage in the business and so it became impossible to avoid further borrowing to survive.

It is with a very heavy heart that we find ourselves facing the prospect of imminent closure and as a last resort are running a crowd funding campaign to appeal for help and support from anyone that wants to be a part of making a difference to people’s lives and follow our journey and progress. We do so much more than just make coffee and with your help can continue.

We are a small independent community-based coffee shop situation in a Findon Valley on the edge of the South Downs in Sussex. We have been providing a service to our community for nearly 8 years. Welcoming people from all walks of life, from small children to the elderly and not forgetting the many dogs too. In this time The Coffee Camp has become a part of many people’s lives and their daily routine, a place they feel at home, a place they are always welcome and met by a friendly face and someone who they know will remember not only their name, drink but even whether they are left or right handed so the latte art is presented properly.

The Coffee Camp has embedded itself into the community over the last 8 years and if you have visited us before will know that we are one big happy family.

We have welcomed many new lives born into the Coffee Camp community and sadly also seen some pass away, we have been involved in Weddings, funerals and part of many birthday celebrations.

We are registered as a “SAFE SPACE” by the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner which is an initiative to help women and girls in Sussex should they feel unsafe outside their home environment and have worked so hard to be a valued member of the community.

We have also been seen by some of the older community who have suffered with dementia as a place of safety, knowing they have a place they feel safe when they need it most or are confused but still know we are there for them.

Each staff member works so hard to provide not only cracking coffee but a personal service to everyone that I believe you just can’t be found anywhere else. They volunteered to complete first aid training in areas relative to our customer base which includes treatment for infants and the elderly and also regularly offer to stay late, work extra shifts when needed and can also be found in the shop on their days off, this I think is testament to the work and shop environment we have created.

We care about every single customer that walks through the door in the same way, whether they are spending money or just wanting to use the bathroom or grab a glass of water.

We have built a huge following in this time and if given the opportunity to start from a clean slate then we would be able to thrive, do more and continue the great work we do for our community.

We aim to raise 150k to make this happen, this would give us the opportunity clear our business debt, offer a much-needed fresh look to the shop including a new floor, counter tops, tables and chairs and replace or repair broken equipment plus invest properly in new ideas and services for our community.

We will display the names on the shop wall (should you consent) of every donor to this campaign and should we reach our target will be holding various donor exclusive events such as Coffee making master classes, Quiz nights, acoustic nights and more as a little thank you for your support. More details on these will be sent out as the campaign progresses.

We know there are so many other local small businesses in a similar position to us and any funds that are not required would be used to help someone else continue the work they do.

By Reaching as many people as possible will make this target more obtainable and just ask you to share this message and link to our GoFundMe with as many people as possible.

Thank you all so very much for taking the time to read this

Nick and the Coffee Camp team