Probably the Best Coffee in the World at Northern Cobbler!
Northern Cobbler, Rolleston Lodge
Where to find great tasting coffee locally?
I am driving along the B6047, on the road from Market Harborough to Melton Mowbray, near to Billesdon. I see two large advertising flags fluttering in the wind and pull into Rolleston Lodge.
Here, I find Northern Cobbler, a minimalist Cafe space with superb coffee and delicious cakes & pastries. Plus if you look over the fence, a great view of Leicestershire. I ask for an Americano, black and no sugar. It is the elixir of life fortifying one for the next part of the journey.
I meet with Steffan Safhill, one of the two owners of Northern Cobbler business. He’s a very personable, passionate, educated 42 year old from Rotherham (hence Northern?). I ask why coffee and shoes? Well the story goes Steffan attended De Montfort University a few years ago studying a degree in shoe design (hence Cobbler?).
After succeeding he worked for Next, then Ted Baker in London for a few years. Back in 2010, his business partner, Feroza and Steffan, friends and work colleagues, were both looking to create a contemporary footwear brand with personality whilst maintaining their ethical beliefs. They visited shoe fairs where they discovered the vast and vibrant world of speciality coffee. That’s where their love for it started.
Cafe, Coffee Roasting & Designer Shoes
They thought they would set up a coffee roasting business and at the same time sell their own design shoes for both men & women. The shoes are still made, in China (no surprise there) and retail in such places as Moshulu.
Their website blurb says:
“Our core values are built around integrity. Whether this be using ethically sourced green beans or recycled rubber soles, using compostable and recyclable packaging to minimise waste.
Or repurposing the chaff produced during the coffee roasting process for composting. Whatever it is, you can be certain we’ll continue to strive to do the right thing.”
I can tell you the coffee roasting, is the business with sales across the UK. The coffee beans are roasted in a Turkish built roaster. Some of the coffee beans are Fair Trade from Ethiopia, apparently the place to get the best beans. Interestingly, you can view the roaster from within the Cafe. The more you roast the more bitter the taste!
The Rolleston Lodge outlet is also an agency for Victoria Ardulio (the Lamborghini of) coffee machines. There is an article on Northern Cobbler in the Leicestershire Mercury, 12th April 2021.
All the coffee flavours have fish names as Steffan was known as ‘Sea bass’ at school. He still likes to fish with his son. He now lives in Houghton-on-the Hill.
Visit Northern Cobbler
Northern Cobbler originally set up its coffee roasting business and shoe outlet in Queens Road Leicester in 2015. But now, fortunately for us, it’s also close at hand at Rolleston Lodge, near Billesdon. Do visit. It’s really worth dropping by for the tasty coffee and yummy cakes.
Cafe Stores
Norther Cobbler, Rolleston Lodge, Harborough Rd, Billesdon, Leicester LE7 9EL.
Opening Times: Mon – Fri 9am – 4pm. Sat & Sun 9am – 5pm. Enquiries Tel:01162596965
Also at Northern Cobbler, Queens Rd, Clarendon Park, Leicester LE2 3FL.
Open: Mon-Fri 8.30 – 5.30. Sat & Sun 9.00 – 5pm. Enquiries Tel:01162153446
Website northerncobbler.com
S. Poyzer
The Power of Breathing
