UP CLOSE: With Kickback Coffee's Alex Shaw as new Flour Water Salt celebrates first month
The new Flour Water Salt has now been opened for over a month.
After the previous incarnation of the bakery and coffee spot shut in January, the future of the Market Place premises was uncertain.
However, Pott Shrigley coffee roasters Kickback Coffee snapped up the opportunity and moved in, adding a bit of flair from their business to back-up the already strong FWS-brandname,
Kickback Coffee supply tens of other eateries across town, so it was a no brainer to have a go at one of their own with this opportunity.
Macclesfield Nub News met with Alex Shaw to look forward to the future for both Kickback and Flour Water Salt.
"We had a very short runway in this project in terms of finding out about it, bidding for it, and relaunching", said Alex.
"The Treacle Market is almost this foreign, organic natural footfall without having to do much promotion, so to open in time for February's Treacle Market was an amazing effort from the team.
"We turned it around in three weeks and have been open ever since."
With all but one staff from the original incarnation, it is a testament to the hard work of the employees that the same high quality bakes and service has been kept up for this new era of Flour Water Salt.
Alex has hired six people at Flour Water Salt. This is on top of the seven that work at Kickback Coffee's Bakestonedale Road roasters.
A former professional rugby player before entering the world of sustainable coffee, Alex revealed how the journey to snap up Flour Water Salt came to be.
"About 18 months ago we tried to find pastries for our coffee bar in Altrincham", explained Alex.
"We even came to this place, but everyone said no as they were too busy. So it led me asking this question of: 'if everyone is maxed out, it is probably a good business to be in?''.
"Last November, we thought we had found our third site in Cheshire. But then the Instagram post came up about Flour Water Salt becoming available, and we completely changed our plans."
The new ownership has brought new hours of operation.
They're currently Monday to Friday 8am to 3pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 9.00am to 4pm.
"What is new is that we are going to be open seven days a week. If you come into Macclesfield, we are going to be open," he added.
"I used to come here as a consumer, and loved how fresh the bread was. And one of the things I would say we are trying to actively do different, is about the environment and the service.
"Everything we do is about creating good relationships, no matter if you are buying one cup of coffee or you have your own coffee shop as a supplier.
"We want people to come here and say our service is better than anywhere they've been. I would love for Kickback Coffee to be known for good coffee, but also good service.
"One of the quotes I take with me everywhere, and I tell the team all the time is 'be the best at the things that take no skill'. like greeting someone when they walk through the door.
"In terms of sustainability, we have a lot of projects that are trying to make tangible changes through business.
"At the beginning of last year, we began the process of how we could become carbon neutral. You can pay a tax to have zero emissions, offsetting your carbon by paying to plant trees. But that didn't sit well with me.
"So we actually find a way to try to remove carbon out of the system. So last year as Kickback Coffee, we invested in three electric vehicles, so all our vehicles are done by them. They are charged using renewable energy. We also do all our wholesale deliveries with reusable tubs as well.
"All of our coffee bags are carbon offset at source, and although that could sound hypocritical, there was not an alternative option which suited us at that time.
"We also send our coffee chaff [a by-product of coffee roasting] which we would previously discard - to the farmer who supplies our milk. They now use it to bed down the cows."
Additionally, their takeaway cups and lids can be put in your compost bin at home.
There's also alternative milk options in Flour Water Salt for the eco-conscious consumer.
However, this pro-planet mantra is subtle and does not overshadow the delicious drinks and food of the business.
If you think you haven't tried their coffee before, you most likely have. Kickback Coffee supply Macclesfield venues from Proper Sound, to The Picturedrome, and even Wreckless Vape Company.
But Flour Water Salt is the first venue in Macclesfield town centre that is owned by Kickback Coffee, who roast the beans in the idyllic hills of Pott Shrigley.
"Thank you to Macclesfield for their support over the years and with this new venture", Alex also said.
"We are learning, adapting and going to make some changes.
"And while we are the same name, the team is different. But the team we have got, have great experience in what they are doing, and even if they didn't work here before they came here as customers.
"One of my favourite sayings is 'if you buy tickets to see The Rolling Stones, you want to hear the classics', so when people walk into this space they are wanting to go and see the classic rye bread or house sourdough they've come to love. The recipes are very similar.
"We are also hoping to introduce new items that weren't previously on there, as I'm a big believer in giving creative control to talented people.
"Sarah our baker is absolutely phenomenal, the breakfast bread made with porridge oats has blown my mind. Craig who is our pastry expert is full of incredible ideas.
"In the future, we would also like to adapt how we deal with food waste. It is one of our our biggest challenges."
Macclesfield: Find more about the new Flour Water Salt on their Facebook or Instagram.
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