Celebrating it’s 1st birthday, a Cheltenham coffee shop is carving out its own place in the town’s thriving speciality coffee scene by creating a welcoming space where everyone, from first-time coffee drinkers to seasoned enthusiasts, can feel at home.
Located in the Grade I listed Rotunda building in Montpellier, The Coffee Cauldron was founded by sisters Julia and Kinga Bogusz, who set out to create a coffee shop that combines quality coffee with a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere.
After spending a decade working in hospitality while completing undergraduate and master’s degrees in psychology, Julia found herself at a crossroads after graduation. “After graduation, I felt I should find a ‘big girl job’, maybe in an office, but I was really struggling to find one I was passionate about,” she said.
“In contrast, I had developed a real passion for coffee and had joked about starting my own coffee shop. Eventually, having discussed it with family and friends, I found myself considering it seriously. After all, I love being on my feet and working with people.”
That idea eventually became The Coffee Cauldron, a coffee house designed to feel comfortable, approachable and welcoming.
“I felt that many coffee shops were rather minimalist and not very cosy – it was all very hipster, and the coffee scene in general felt like an exclusive community,” said Julia. “I wanted to go back to the millennial cool vibe: comfy chairs, wood panelling, leather sofas – an all-round cosier aesthetic. I wanted to create a specialist coffee shop people could go to and, if they didn’t know much, they could ask questions and not feel looked down upon.
“We cater for the connoisseur who loves learning about different beans, but we also serve our own hand-made syrups and iced coffees topped with cream for people who want sweet drinks – which is around 90 per cent of customers.”
The Coffee Cauldron caters for both dedicated coffee enthusiasts and customers simply looking for a great-tasting drink. Alongside speciality coffees sourced from roasters including Dark Matter in London and Boo in Brussels, the business produces its own syrups and seasonal drinks on-site using natural ingredients.
To help communicate its inclusive approach, Julia and assistant manager Ohla created two fictional characters: Frank, the coffee aficionado, and Bob, who is fond of a frappe. “It’s a great analogy for the coffee community. Everyone can find themselves somewhere in between the two – and I think most people would admit to being Bob at least sometimes.”
This autumn’s menu includes flavours such as banana bread, pumpkin spice and Earl Grey, while customers looking for something a little different can enjoy a cold brew made using Dark Matter’s Banana Bread blend, which combines beans from China and Colombia and delivers naturally buttery caramel notes.
Since opening its doors in October 2025, the business has quickly established itself as a destination for local residents and visitors alike.
Turning the vision into reality required significant investment and, with support from SWIG Finance, the sisters secured a combined £87,000 in loan funding, including two Start Up Loans of £25,000 each and a joint loan of £37,000 from the South West Investment Fund (SWIF). The funding helped cover everything from surveys and fit-out costs to stock, equipment, crockery and cutlery.
“Having enquired about the British Business Bank, I discovered we were eligible for Start Up Loans, and also a SWIF loan,” said Julia.
“I didn’t even know they existed, and it was so easy to apply for – although I had done a robust 30-page business plan, so there weren’t many questions left to answer. Being able to access both a Start Up Loan and additional funding through the South West Investment Fund made a real difference. It meant we could secure the level of finance needed to deliver our plans without having to look elsewhere.”
SWIG Finance worked with the sisters throughout the funding process, helping them access both the Start Up Loans and South West Investment Fund loan that enabled them to bring the business to life.
Adele Jones, Associate Business Manager at SWIG Finance, said: “Julia demonstrated a really clear and positive business proposition, supported by both family and friends. Real passion shone through and it was a pleasure for us to guide these applications to a positive conclusion.”
Lizzy Upton, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, added: “Access to finance shouldn’t be a barrier to starting or growing a business. Our funding programmes are designed to be flexible and can work together where appropriate, helping businesses like The Coffee Cauldron get the finance they need to put their plans into action.”
Today, The Coffee Cauldron stands as an example of how a clear vision, hospitality experience and access to the right finance can help transform a business idea into a thriving independent venture.
Find out more about The Coffee Cauldron by visiting their Instagram page and following them.
Find out more about SWIG Finance through their website.
