NEWS
Oat becomes the UK’s preferred dairy alternative A new World Coffee Portal survey shows that oat has overtaken coconut as UK consumers’ preferred dairy alternative in coffee shops, but dairy milk still rules the roost when it comes to pairing with coffee at home. Oat has unseated coconut as UK consumers’ preferred dairy alternative in coffee shops, the survey of more than 50,000 UK consumers conducted by World Coffee Portal found, with 16% indicating they had tried oat milk in a coffee shop over the last 12 months, ahead of coconut and almond at 12%, and soya at 9%. Oat has enjoyed a rapid ascendance in the UK (a consumer poll conducted by World Coffee Portal in 2019 placed oat as consumers’ fourth preferred dairy alternative, behind coconut, almond and soy). However, since 2020 World Coffee Portal research shows oat’s popularity in UK coffee shops has risen 6% while almond grew 1% coconut fell 1%, and soya was down 0.5% compared to last year. Commenting on the survey findings, Allegra Group CEO and founder, Jeffrey Young, said: “It is clear that oat has become an important part of the plantbased offer within UK coffee shops. A significant proportion of British consumers appreciate the neutral taste of oat milk, but increasingly a whole array of alternative milk solutions. We expect to see further penetration of plant-based products in UK coffee shops in the coming year.”
8 CAFÉ LIFE | DECEMBER 2021
Third workspace app means you can work form a café rather than at home A collective groan from businesses and hospitality venues alike has followed the government’s ‘Plan B’ announcement, with the move back to working from home (WFH) a catastrophe for many businesses who have been at pains to get people back into the office - as well as hospitality who have welcomed back office workers grabbing lunches and coffees and booking Christmas parties. With many home office set ups dismantled and fears of a decrease in productivity, businesses are quite rightly worried about indefinite restrictions. While hospitality is excluded from face masks in the main, COVID passports and a reluctance to socialise due to the ongoing crisis will hit hard, as reports surged of cancelled Christmas dos. However, the Reef App, can help those who will find it difficult to work from home as well as keeping footfall strong across hospitality venues throughout December and beyond, claim its creators. Businesses can sign up to the app which enables their employees to book a convenient workspace in a hospitality venue. Venues can list free of charge what space they have available and when, as well as offering exclusive discounts on food and drink, and almost 200 venues have already signed up. According to research carried out by Reef App Ltd, almost half of the office workers say their working environment has a serious impact on their mental health (44%). Working from home has left many feeling isolated with burnouts increasing and less collaboration with work colleagues. The Reef App aims to help employers support staff’s mental wellbeing at a crucial time while also maintaining a productive workforce.
James Coughlan, founder of Reef App Ltd, said: “‘Plan B has come at a time when businesses and hospitality were just lifting their heads above the parapet. It’s a bitter pill to swallow and will hit venues hard. When developing the Reef App during the first lockdown, we were conscious that the workplace will never be the same again so companies and hospitality alike need to be agile and able to act quickly in order to support both staff and profits. The Reef App manages to bridge the gap between home and office with a hybrid solution, it’s really a no-brainer of a tool to have as a business and a venue. Venues only need to list the space they have available at the times they want, so it’s incredibly flexible.’ Reef aims to simplify the future of the ‘third workspace’. The app allows teams to work agilely, finding suitable and convenient places to work globally, whilst helping venues to increase their footfall and improve their revenue. Aimed at the business market, the app works on a subscription basis for employers, who pay per user. Individuals can then search through the listed venues to find one which works for them, and book the space, free-of-charge. Hospitality venues can also offer incentives to users, such as discounts and special offers.
