Naked Coffee opens first deli

Naked Deli International has opened inside Bournemouth University’s Kaplan International College at Holdenhurst Road.

It is the latest opening for 40-year-old Ian Saul, who opened his first Naked Coffee shop at Christchurch Road in 2016.

He has since opened at Southampton railway station and Bournemouth University’s library and Poole Gateway building. The business has 24 staff.

Mr Saul said: “Since 2016 we have enjoyed steady growth as people have responded to Naked Coffee’s vision.

“The deli has been created in direct response to our customers’ requests for quality, fresh and tasty, largely locally sourced food and coffee on the go.”

Mr Saul said: “I think some people thought we were slightly mad to start an independent coffee brand, but Naked was created to try to make a change to the commercial industry it was born into.

“We’ve always tried to do things differently to the larger coffee companies: For one, we are one of only a tiny number of coffee roasters who use convection roasting methods, which unlike traditional gas roasting, results in carbon free emissions.

“We also offer a wide range of different coffee roasts, as well as an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu.”

Mr Saul became interested in vegan food around 2001, when his late mother Rose was ill and on a restricted diet. “We found there was no way of having good food with friends when anybody was eating vegan at the time,” he said.

The business emphasises its environmental credentials, with compostable cups and 80 per cent recyclable packaging – and is aiming to reach 100 per cent by 2021.

Its kiosks are built out of 70 per cent recycled materials.

Mr Saul said: “I’d be lying if I said it has been easy. We compete daily against formidable, global brands in a very crowded marketplace.

“It’s also a constant challenge keeping our ethical roots in a business where cost-cutting is standard and fake ethics are common. But I think we have kept our feet strongly on the ground

.”