Eddie Buston is the co-owner of Clifton Coffee Roasters, established in 2001. Since joining the business, Eddie has been doing everything possible to source, roast, deliver and support exceptional coffee and equipment.
Ed the dog lover
Firstly and most importantly, do you have a dog?
Yes, Buddy!
Describe your dog in three words?
Happy, loyal, cuddly.
What do you love the most about your dog?
The few minutes of total happiness and excitement every day when I get home from work.
Ed the Entrepreneur
“Go home with all of today’s problems fixed and tomorrow will take care of itself.”
How long have you been in the coffee business?
22 years
Can you name three individuals that have inspired you the most?
There have been so many people that have inspired me little by little on my coffee journey, I’ve never really thought of it in a big picture way. To be honest all I’ve ever done is worry about doing a good job today – go home with all of today’s problems fixed and tomorrow will take care of itself.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Growing. Not so much how to grow, but managing the growth – especially when we moved from a regional to a national company. Also, choosing where to grow. There have been so many opportunities along the way but so many of them are a distraction to what our main focus and purpose is.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of opening a business?
Work harder than anyone else you know. Reinvest as much as possible to make your company stronger. Don’t always think about what other people want, even if they’re your potential customers! Focus on your amazing ideas and keep working at that. If your ideas are good enough, customers will find you. Everything will be better if you enjoy what you’re doing.
“The most successful coffee shops make their community a better place.”
What do you feel coffee shops do well?
A nice comfortable environment makes good coffee taste even better. The most successful shops make their community/high street/side street/back alley a better place. They’re not just serving good coffee, they’re serving their community.
Where do you feel coffee shops could improve?
A message to every barista out there: all I want you to do is make your next coffee better.
How would you describe the current state of the UK coffee shop market?
Vibrant, fun, fast, tough. Coffee is part of people’s lives and it’s not given up easily, so there’s never going to be a shortage of people after good coffee in a place they feel comfortable. The coffee market is going a little crazy at the moment and that’s going to drive up prices on the high street. We’ll see some operators dropping quality. This is a chance to shine and win more customers.
Ed the Aficionado
“Please don’t ruin my week by making me a fruity natural coffee on a Monday morning!”
Do you have a preferred coffee origin?
Not so much a preferred country but I much prefer clean and bright washed coffees. Please don’t ruin my week by making me a fruity natural coffee on a Monday morning!
Where in the world have you had your best cup of coffee?
Right here in the Clifton Roastery. There’s a team of the most passionate coffee people I know and the best coffees just keeps flowing from our roasters as well as others. The best coffee I’ve ever had is simply a blend of all of that made up in my head.
How do you drink your coffee?
Black filter coffee.
What is your preferred brew method when drinking coffee at home and what kit do you use?
I’m a nightmare – I grind it the night before and set a timer on my Sage filter machine. There’s a jug of coffee waiting for me every morning when I bumble down to the kitchen.
Can you recommend any coffee books?
Espresso Coffee, Professional Techniques by David C. Schomer – it’s a bit old school now but it’s the book that gave me the bug for coffee and I’ve been hooked ever since.
