Business Spotlight Feature - The Barista's Shed

Starting off as a mobile coffee trailer that visited local markets and events, including Sudbury’s own market, The Barista's Shed expanded into a small unit on Gaol Lane in April 2023, before settling in at 83 North Street earlier this year. José and Joana have truly transformed the space into a cosy coffee lover’s haven.

Writing to Sudbury Town Council, José reflects on the physical evolution of his business:

"In June 2021 we've launched our mobile coffee business in Sudbury Market, bringing quality coffee and looking to foster a relationship with the local community. This helped us to build a loyal customer base and gather insights into customer preferences. 

By April 2023, the demand for our coffee drinks and beans led us to open a small coffee shop in Gaol Lane. This location allowed us to create a cosy atmosphere and strengthen the relationship with customers whilst expanding our coffee beans offerings which we've started roasting onsite.  

Now in March 2025, our dream culminated in a bigger coffee shop & roastery on the high street. This vibrant new space aims at not only showcasing our dedication and passion to quality with freshly roasted coffee but also to serve as a community hub where locals (and non locals) can gather, socialise and enjoy a great cup of coffee."

From Latte to Americano, Cappucino to Cortado, The Barista's Shed is the perfect spot for your caffeine fix. Sit back and relax to the soundtrack of carefully curated vinyl records as you sip on your freshly prepared coffee – and that’s not all you can experience here!

The Barista's Shed also roast their coffee beans in house, and you can pick up a bag in store, or subscribe online to get 2 bags (227g) of freshly roasted coffee delivered to your doorstep every month. Fancy yourself a coffee expert? You can expand your knowledge with The Barista Shed’s coffee roasting experience. You’ll receive a tasting flight of coffee with different roasting methods, learn about how the beans are roasted, and leave with a free bag of coffee!

As part of this spotlight feature, we reached out to The Barista's Shed with some questions to provide further insight into their business.

How has your business evolved since you first opened?

Since moving to a bigger space on the high street, our business has experienced great evolution. This prime location has attracted more customers, expanding our reach and introducing our products to a wider audience. This larger space allowed us to create a more inviting atmosphere with more seating and a cosy ambiance that encourages customers to linger and socialise. Our presence on the high street has helped strengthened ties with the local community

How would you describe your business in 3 words?

 Welcoming. Passionate. Community

Do you have any particularly memorable moments you’ve experienced whilst working in Sudbury?

Some of the most memorable moments we've experienced come from trading at Sudbury Market. From the very beginning we've experienced first hand the spirit of community and support the other traders and the locals extended to us by welcoming us with warmth and creating an atmosphere of collaboration. All the meaningful experiences and the genuine connections forged at Sudbury Market have made it not just a trading place, but  a vibrant community hub that we still feel part of and that we will always cherish as a pivotal part of our journey.

Finally, do you have any exciting news or events coming up?

Coffee & Live Music Morning with Tim Hackford on the 10th of July 11am-1pm (Free entry). More Coffee & Music mornings coming up, dates TBC. Coffee Roasting Experience (Tickets for sale. More info available on the website) on the 19th of October and 23rd November 10am-1pm. 

Have you tried the coffee from The Barista's Shed? Why not leave a review on Google to share your feedback? Or support them by dropping them a follow on social media using the links below.