Mull coffee roastery brews up growing customer base

About the business

Founded in March 2023 by Susanne Stanhope and Nicky Sturrock, Isle of Mull Coffee Roastery Ltd began supplying ethically sourced coffee to local cafés. Since then, the business has expanded across Scotland and beyond, with new wholesale partnerships and a growing reputation for quality and sustainability.

Sustainability is at the heart of the roastery. All beans are ethically sourced, with organic and project coffees prioritised. Coffee grounds and chaff are recycled for local gardens, and solar panels now cover 90% of the business’s energy use.

The company recently moved into new premises, now fully operational and producing coffee using beans from Mexico, Papua New Guinea, India and Kenya. Plans are also underway to open the roastery to the public for educational visits.

Business Gateway has been instrumental in helping us grow from a small island start-up into a business with real momentum. The support and advice gave us the confidence to scale up, while funding enabled us to invest in the future. It’s exciting to see sustainable growth happening right here on Mull.

Susanne Stanhope and Nicky Sturrock, founders of Isle of Mull Coffee

How Business Gateway has helped

Support from Business Gateway included one-to-one advice, access to expert consultancy, and guidance on funding opportunities. A Small Business Development Grant, Training Grant and Trade Fair Grant enabled investment in specialist equipment and event attendance. The business also joined Business Gateway’s Intensive Growth Programme, strengthening its strategy and financial planning.

With sales ahead of projections, new wholesale customers approaching directly and staff recruitment on the horizon, Isle of Mull Coffee Roastery continues to build on its early success.

Susanne Stanhope and Nicky Sturrock, founders of Isle of Mull Coffee, said: “Business Gateway has been instrumental in helping us grow from a small island start-up into a business with real momentum. The support and advice gave us the confidence to scale up, while funding enabled us to invest in the future. It’s exciting to see sustainable growth happening right here on Mull.”