A SKIPTON company is proving there is reason for hope among the Covid gloom, proving it is possible to be innovative in the face of adversity.

The Clubhouse Coffee and Cycles, in Newmarket Street, was forced to shut in March. The move prompted the company to accelerate plans to roast its own coffee and deliver to customers in and around Skipton ensuring the business remained open and customers could enjoy its coffee at home.

Interest for the coffee soon came from other coffee shops and The Clubhouse created a business-to-business department.

Kane Pulford-Roberts, owner of The Clubhouse said: “We knew that we couldn’t just close and try and weather the storm, but instead we had to use this time and extra headspace to accelerate the plans we had to innovate. Roasting our own coffee has opened so many doors, that we are now chasing to catch up with our expansions.

“We have grown so quickly that in just a few months our initial equipment is operating over capacity. Luckily we managed to secure investment to upgrade, however if growth continues we will need further investment for future upgrades.”

Kane added: “We’re proud to be recruiting in this sector at a time when a lot of businesses are restructuring and reducing staff levels. It goes to show the positive effect of people’s change in attitude to shopping local. It has given a small business an opportunity to grow as well as giving people the opportunity to work in a hands-on varied business where they can be part of a building something.” This growth has also been shared with other small Yorkshire businesses in the form of collaborations.

“We have some really cool and innovative independent brands in Yorkshire and the ability to collaborate with companies such as Struggle Events and Mamnick to create some really cool products and grow awareness of both brands has been extremely rewarding.

“For those business adapting and innovating it seems to be providing a fantastic opportunity to provide customers with great quality local products,” he added.