Some rather interesting news emerged today via the BBC, a survey of coffee shop chains in the UK has revealed what we all suspected - you can get a better quality brew at an independent establishment rather than at one of the hundreds of coffee chains that dominate the UK. The survey claims that you not only get a better quality coffee bean and taste but also the price is far more reasonable.

The UK’s coffee industry has an estimated annual turn-over of £2.5 billion, but surprise, surprise it is larger chains that are making the most profit! Interestingly, the survey focused largely around location, the idea that smaller (often better) coffee houses are located off high streets, so people are often unaware of their existence. Never fear, if you’re on a quest for great independent coffee the website Delocator UK is around to help you. It’s a great site and well worth a look.

Also we have a few tip’s of our own. Flat White on Berwick Street has just won Independent Coffee Shop of the Year 2007. Also the ever popular Monmouth Coffee near Borough Market is famous for its impressive brews – further afield Leoni’s Coffee House in Malton Yorkshire has been making waves in coffee circles for some time now. So get out there and get drinking - in moderation of course!

Lovely photo supplied by Synaethesia over on Flickr.