Black Sheep Coffee selects centre:mk for latest site

Specialist coffee chain, Black Sheep Coffee, has selected centre:mk, one of the top 10 retail and leisure destinations in the UK, for the latest site in its growing portfolio.

Further diversifying the centre’s F&B offering, Black Sheep Coffee has signed for a 1,637 sq ft unit on centre:mk’s Sunset Walk, bringing its all-day concept to Milton Keynes for the first time. Set to open in May, the store will feature the brand’s iconic café menu offering a signature range of 100% specialty grade Robusta beans, Norwegian waffles, smoothies, shakes and light bites.

In line with centre:mk’s core ESG values, the store will feature Black Sheep’s “Free Coffee Board” aimed at fighting social exclusion – customers will be able to donate their loyalty rewards to the Free Coffee Board or purchase a drink voucher at a discounted price to be pinned on the board. Anyone who cannot afford coffee can redeem the rewards or vouchers for any hot drink of their choice. As part of its commitment to sustainability, Black Sheep Coffee has also removed single-use plastics from its locations, aligning with centre:mk’s various waste reduction initiatives which have resulted in 100% diversion from landfill.  

Kevin Duffy, Centre Director at centre:mk, commented: “Quickly becoming a household name amongst the casual dining scene, we are thrilled to have signed Black Sheep Coffee and its dynamic day-to-night concept here at centre:mk. The destination’s F&B offering continues to go from strength to strength with December sales up to 43% up versus 2021. We’re looking forward to welcoming Black Sheep Coffee come May, as it joins the likes of Cosy Club, Harrod’s Champagne Bar, Wagamama and the recently opened, itsu at the destination.”

Eirik Holth and Gabriel Shohet, Co-Founders of Black Sheep Coffee, added: “We are delighted to be expanding further into the South East and Milton Keynes has been a target location for the brand for some time. centre:mk is an ideal site for Black Sheep Coffee, not only does the destination dominate the region, but it also shares our core values on environmental, social, and governance.”

The signing follows the news that popular healthy fast-food restaurant, itsu, has officially opened its latest location at centre:mk Milton Keynes, one of the top 10 retail destinations in the UK, building on the centre’s distinctive day-to-night F&B offering.

MMX Retail and CBRE acted for centre:mk.