Caffeine, community, and cramming: The student appeal of Brighton’s cafes

“I go to cafes to study for a lot of reasons. Dressing up nicely and going to a cute, independent coffee shop is a great way to romanticise my work and helps me get into the flow.” Matilda Mooney, 20, a second year Biomedical Science Student explains.

Brighton is a city vibrant with creativity, individuality, and -crucially for students- 245 coffee shops. There’s one around every corner you turn. And as temperatures drop and deadlines start to pile up, these spots become cosy havens for students looking to study and recharge during the colder months.

For Matilda, spending money on coffee becomes motivation for her to do her work, “I also have the slightly silly reasoning that spending money on a coffee or cake means I must do my assignments—otherwise, it’s a waste.”

For many students, studying in a café during the winter offers an escape from cold bedrooms and the library. What better way is there to cram everything you’ve learnt and reach those deadlines by doing it in a coffee shop with a hot drink and a delicious snack. It feels rewarding, right?

Charlotte Slaughter, 20, studying at the University of Brighton, is drawn to the variety of people you may find in these spaces. She explains, “It’s refreshing to be in a space where people are working on different things, creating a diverse environment.

The blend of students and working professionals gives the cafe a dynamic, purpose-driven feel that keeps me coming back.”.

Matilda added to this saying, “I enjoy taking breaks to people-watch and listen in on strangers’ conversations, and Brighton’s independent cafes are the perfect place for it.”

The rise of ‘coffee shop culture’, the social and cultural aspects of coffee consumption, is evident throughout Brighton as there’s so many cafés to choose from. According to data from Brighton and Hove City Council on “Business rates information on Brighton and Hove listed businesses”, in the last 2 years the city has nearly 250 listed cafes, providing a variety of places for anyone in need of their coffee-fix.

Aside from the typical popular coffee chains found within Brighton, such as Costa Coffee or Starbucks, the city’s eclecticism shines through and this can be seen in nearly all the smaller, eccentric coffee shops.

Richard Grills, owner of the whacky and bustling Presuming Ed’s Coffee House in Brighton, said, “You see the décor, it's supposed to be that there should be something for everybody. There should be something that's a little bit retro for absolutely everyone, every age. So, it's not really a student pub. It's not really any age pub. We’re trying to mix it up. So, we don't really focus on the students.”

Around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. And in a study done by the British Coffee Association, it shows that ground coffee and single-serve coffee pods have grown in their popularity over the last few years. This is seen amongst a wide age group of those who are aged 16-34, accounting for 16% of all coffee buyers.

Richard added, “That's why it's a good, good little business and environment that we have. I kind of want vintage people like me, and older, and students. I think students just like the vibe of the place, and it's probably the only place you can, you can go and talk to people from different age groups.”

The British Coffee Association revealed that amongst the UK’s high streets, ‘café culture’ has “continued to boom”. It highlighted that 80% of people who visit coffee shops do so at least once a week and 16% of people do so every day.

The growth of coffee shops is not just exclusive to the city, as Brighton’s café culture extends onto the University of Brighton Moulsecoomb Campus as well, where there is a total of four dotted around, providing many students and lecturers alike with their much-needed coffee-fix. The cosy and inviting study spaces, provide a perfect place to escape from the winter chill.

Basement Central and the Book & Bean café are both found in the Cockcroft building, with one Book & Bean found in Elm House, both part of the University of Brighton. They all favour that ‘coffee shop vibe’ many of us love but are completely different in their atmospheres.

Melania Szilagyu, Line Manager for Basement Central Café, said “The café stands out by offering locally sourced Trading Post Coffee, a warm and student-friendly environment, and unique seasonal menus tailored to student preferences.

To ensure accessibility, we also feature budget-friendly options, such as affordable coffee sizes, discounted meal deals, and loyalty rewards. This combination of quality, comfort, and affordability sets us apart from other on-campus food options.”

Basement Central, one of the busiest cafés ‘s on the university’s campus, has a lively, social atmosphere while Book and Bean homes in on your more relaxed, snug vibe. Both spots aim at providing students with a reliable study space, and fret not; both places offer a wide range of delicious food and drinks to anyone in need of some brain food from pastries to paninis you can’t really go wrong.

Melania added, “The menu is shaped by a mix of student feedback, popular trends, and supplier offerings. Seasonal and experimental items often come from suggestions or observed preferences.

The café aspires to be a hub for fostering community, promoting local causes, and supporting student well-being beyond just serving coffee.”

Brighton’s independent coffee shops are so much more than just places where you can grab a drink- they are bustling hubs of community. They blend work, socialising, and relaxation all into one place (and with a delicious snack or two as well!).

Whether you may decide to venture into the city or use the on-campus cafes, all places offer students a diverse and welcoming space to study, connect, and find the motivation needed to reach their deadlines on time- ensuring that each student gets that final push that they need before the winter holidays.

Words: 997

References:

-          19th of November 2024 at 2pm – Face to Face interview with Richard Grills, owner of Presuming Ed’s in Brighton. Email to contact: info@prezed.com

-          4th of November 2024 at 3:08pm – Charlotte Slaughter gave a comment on why they enjoy coffee shops. Email to contact: c.slaughter2@uni.brighton.ac.uk

-          4th of November 2024 at 3:17pm – Matilda Mooney gave a comment on why they enjoy coffee shops. Email to contact: m.mooney4@uni.brighton.ac.uk

-          20th of November 2024 at 1:08pm – Interview conducted by email with Melania Szilagyu, Line Manager for Basement Central. Email to contact: m.szilagyi@brighton.ac.uk

-          13th of November - The British Coffee Association statistics on coffee consumption. Website: Coffee Consumption | British Coffee Association

-          18th of November – ‘Business rates information for city businesses’ from the Brighton and Hove City Council Website. Website: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/business-and-trade/business-rates-information-city-businesses#