AN ARGYLL coffee shop is planning to expand as a way of meeting growing public demand.

The company started up just over a year ago and sources coffee beans from around the world, roasts them on Mull and supplies it in whole bean, espresso and cafetiere form.

To keep up with the demand, a new premises and equipment are needed to meet expectations and train employees.

Isle of Mull Coffee has secured up to £32,000 worth of investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise towards the total project costs of £108,000.

Planning consent has already been secured for a new purpose-built roastery in Salen, a central and accessible location on Mull.

The new building will be energy efficient, and the company will continue to base its marketing around ethically sourced coffee and the minimal environmental impact of the production process.

Morag Goodfellow, area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said: “It’s great that a local company on Mull has seen such encouraging growth over a relatively short time and is able to expand while remaining on the island.

"This project is about entrepreneurialism, enhanced productivity and supporting rural fair work employment.

“It’s also about energy efficiency and supporting the transition to a low carbon economy. I’m very pleased we’ve been able to provide support and look forward to continuing to work with Isle of Mull Coffee as they implement their growth plans.”

New equipment will include a convection roaster which, through innovative fluid bed technologies, recycles heat to provide the efficiency of a larger roaster together with an air filtration system with zero emissions. 

This will enable the coffee company to increase capacity, diversify its product range and streamline production.

As a result, company turnover is forecast to increase by more than £300,000 within three years, which will strengthen business resilience and create at least one new job.