Explore Indie Cambridge - Hot Numbers Roastery

With the help of Indie Cambridge - the community of ‘real’ Cambridge - Cambridge Network continues its exploration of the best independent businesses, people, shops, cafés, restaurants, venues and events in Cambridge and the surrounding area. This week: Hot Numbers Roastery.

 Hot Numbers Roastery

Housed in a stylishly converted warehouse in Shepreth, Hot Numbers Roastery is a coffee aficionado’s dream and a brunch-goers heaven. Unlike the more archetypal dimly lit, bijou indie coffeehouse, the roastery has a spacious, open-plan design which is flooded with natural light, as well as a generous green and tranquil garden with alfresco seating (the Autumn leaves – to reference a jazz standard – will be pretty spectacular!), making it an idyllic setting for those preferring to meet outside.

Though the roastery opened to the public in spring 2019, the Hot Numbers story has been percolating far longer. Founder Simon Fraser was studying saxophone in Australia and working in a cafe when he had an epiphany. Impressed by the superlative coffee being served, he decided to combine his love of coffee and jazz by launching Hot Numbers café on Gwydir Street in 2011, named after a nearby former record store.

Things took off so Simon took on the Shepreth HQ as a hub for barista training, warehousing and roasting (vital for the wholesale business). But the café has proved a massive hit too – becoming a real destination – with the added advantage of allowing customers to actually see the coffee being roasted. Upstairs the coffee appreciation reaches new heights, with vintage Italian espresso machines and grinders on display, and one wall decorated entirely in hessian sacks, showing the origins of the ethically-sourced, speciality grade coffee.

With brunches booming (the pancakes being a particular favourite), a bakery was added – which now makes all the delicious sourdough for all three of the Hot Numbers cafes, as well as being available to buy and take home. And talking of home, you can get your speciality coffee-fix there too with the Hot Numbers Coffee Club subscription service, via the online shop on their website. Just choose when you’d like it delivered, weekly, fortnightly or monthly, what flavour, how much and how you like it ground and they simply roast and post!

Hot Numbers Roastery
Wrights Mowers, Dunsbridge Turnpike
Shepreth
Cambs
SG8 6RB
Tel: 01223 612209
www.hotnumberscoffee.co.uk

 

Run by long-term residents with a true passion for Cambridge and the independent scene, Indie Cambridge is the only organisation and website dedicated solely to supporting and promoting indie businesses in the city – and beyond. Their site features hundreds of traders and tradespeople, artists and makers, producers, venues and events – all of which play a part in the real life of the city and local area. Packed with valuable insider knowledge, it also features a list of indie businesses offering online shopping, click and collect and local delivery.   

Read the latest issue of The Indie magazine or click here for places where you can pick up a free copy. Alternatively, have it delivered direct to your door by joining IndieClub - just £12 for three issues a year, then sit back, relax and enjoy a most civilised read.

 


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