I think it sounds like a good idea, Iv been doing a couriering for a while now, nearly two months and iv yet to find a satisfactory hang out spot. Im sure there are places where other couriers hang out( off theobalds road, gold square) but as far as i am aware no cafe specifically for couriers. Although i dont usually have enought time to order a coffee and sit down and drink it, and whereever i do stop is usually a random spot where my last job was. Despite all this i think it would be a good idea, as i can go indoors, warm up, and be made to feel welcome. It would be even better if there was no pressure on you to actually buy anything ;0)

in glasgow i work in a place called "where the monkey sleeps" which has been the unofficial courier stop off for about 7 years. i reckon as nice as it might be to have the place just for couriers, they have a tendency to buy little and inhabit much space. for these reasons you might want to attract normal (no offence) paying customers as well. also the interaction between wet, foul mouthed glasgow couriers and office suits is one to be enjoyed. we have lockers for them to keep stuff in which is quite a good idea too. a nice hand dryer wouldn't go amiss.

hope this is of assistance

A squat is the only way forward.Trouble is you might not ever get rid of the f*ckers!

Yeah it's cut-throat out there, it gives me great pleasure to announce Madhouse rollers, the latest and greatest roller racing mob. I'll be running the op from perth, Barnsy is my front man, we have bill on the mike and dazza on decks. Roll up, roll up for madhouse rollers, rolapalosers is so 2008.

Hah, I knew there'd be some old cynics - and I knew the idea would have cropped up many times before! I don't think he's imagining it as solely for couriers though. He's very into coffee, and wants to set up something that'll rival Monmouth and Flat White (best not in Soho then), but also into bikes, so I guess he wants to combine the two. If it works, it'll probably end up full of fakengers as well. And the kind of office drones who wouldn't give you a second glance when standing next to you in a lift.

Are there any current hang-outs then? My favourite's (possibly) Vita on Wimpole Street (south of Wigmore). They do tea for 50p and coffee for 65p, and it's the kind of place I often find myself on standby. I know a couple of other people go there too - I always look out for them sitting outside as I pass.

You'd be better off with Mike on Bill and the decks on Dazza.

" It's been empty for 3 years and is bang in the centre of town. "

Is it the controller's screen at Cyclone? Boo-boom tish!

Oh, so glad it's going well! I'll look out for you in Vita (when I eventually get some standby time). You know there's another one near Guildhall (possibly on Coleman Street)? And I saw one of their cups dropped on the floor up near the Foundry today, so perhaps there's one near there as well...

oh and you could speak to the ethical property company..but again it depends on his politics

http://www.ethicalproperty.co.uk/site/en/index.html

Zero...

ha yeah! did you see the Q and A with Chris last night.that was funny, it was like he was being interviewed.and he effin loved it as you can imagine...

Ah great Nes, let's start a super cheap and not terribly fancy messenger cafe so that the hipsters can take advantage of feeling proper street because they only spent a quid on a coffee and they got to stand next to people who sweat for a living.

What about a coffee stand? There was one on Brewer st, seems like a good idea cause you don't have to turn your radio off to go inside.

Couldn't we lumber one of the cargo bikers with a coffee machine?

Thought not...

"we often had sliding scale prices for meals depending on what people could afford."

How'd that work?

Dont get me wrong, the whole idea is very cool,but why dont you try to streched it a bit further more? Devise a bussines plan then look out for potential places , check costs, identify the market you are aiming for, think about the scope of the establishment it will have ie the ''look'' etc.When you do all that then at least you will know how much and what you need and you start from there.A cafe is more than a place to drink coffee between jobs -for couriers-and with a bit of creativity and marketing can sell a lot easier.If i really want a coffee i ll buy it from wherever i happen to stand by, so you need to build on other things apart from just selling coffee.It doesn't have to be just a stand by the side of the road, it could be something a lot more nicer, comfortable, and profitable.You can aim at the whole cycling community not just the couriers , and even i might add the bikers too (they tend to spend more), and if the place becomes a novelty then tourists,and others will def have a go.What do you think Starbucks sells?coffee? you wrong ,it sells image.A coffee place is a place to socialise at somewhat ease and comfort .On the other hand if you just want to sell coffee then to be honest i can make coffee were i am and a hell of a lot better than any i have tried so far in London.

I am sure you know all of this, all i am saying is good luck and i would love to see something like this happenning, but its not as simple.

Nice one Lawrence,good luck with this I'd really like to see it happen.

Fair fucking play!

Well done fella. I'll be around as soon as poss. Glad you didn't listen to that greek c**ts complete bollocks. Let the like of him go and work for starbucks. Oh no, he cant can he. Clearing tables is beyond him.

I guess it only takes a genius to be cycling well in his 40's for a living.
We call ppl like you Mike grown ups, but in your case i think the reverse would give a more accurate description.
Both physical and mental.
Now , go out and pay 1.50 for a warmed up cup of brawny water , and don't forget to say thank you after.
Don't worry about me , i stopped cycling in the rain and cold for peanuts long time ago but clearly you know better.

I'll be in and I'll dig out me tattiest satchel and Creative top for the 25p off....well done and good luck!

You are fucking booring and you are such a fucking nit wit. Get some mates, loose your virginity and take up train spotting. Lurking on a forum full of people you clearly despise is not social activity. You are a waste of good bacon you wank stain.

Heck, when I finally drag my fat ass over to London I'm looking forward to weaseling the discount and dropping a pound note in the tip jar. Assuming you have tip jars.

Pound coin works? My point being like a true messenger demand the discount and if they give it to you? Tip hard at least the first time.

Up here, it's you bring me drink, you bring me food, well here's a little sumthin' for ya'. Only people who tip a courier ex-waitresses, bartenders, etc. on personal errands never on anything charged to their firms account.

Hi Everyone, and thanks to Mike, Wayne and Arshan (sorry if I misspelt) for listening to my attempts at getting ideas for what to do with the place.

But, I'm going to ask everyone the same thing. What are we doing right, what are we doing wrong? What can we do better. I do have a lot of ideas, but most of them cost money, so I have to make some to get them going.

Comments please, greatly appreciated, and please come in and try our coffee.

Lawrence.

How about getting a few stickers made up that you can give to messengers who come in, we then stick them up all round town as we go about our work?