Capping off its milestone tenth anniversary year, WatchHouse has
been crowned Europe’s Best Coffee Shop Chain at the 2024 European Coffee &
Hospitality Awards. The award was presented on 12 November at the InterContinental
Hotel in Berlin during Allegra’s European Coffee Symposium, a premier gathering for
the industry’s top innovators, leaders, and brands. WatchHouse’s recognition reflects
its commitment to specialty coffee served in artfully designed spaces, defining a new
standard of Modern Coffee for communities across the United Kingdom and beyond.
Building on last year’s win as Best Independent Coffee Shop, this latest accolade
reinforces WatchHouse’s vision and validates its ambitious growth. “Winning last year
showed us we were on the right track,” said Roland Horne, Founder and CEO of
WatchHouse. “To take home the top honour this year feels monumental as we
celebrate ten years of WatchHouse. It’s a testament to the dedication of our team and
the loyalty of our guests. We’re proud to keep expanding Modern Coffee to new
places, and we’re only just beginning.”
Accompanying Roland in Berlin to celebrate this industry-leading win were Caroline
Ottoy, Managing Director, and Josh Brown, Head of Coffee. Alongside Horne, their
leadership has been key in WatchHouse’s expansion to 21 Houses across the UK and
the United States. Since last year’s award, the team has opened Houses in Fenchurch
Street, Canary Wharf, Hampstead Heath, Marble Arch, Fitzrovia, and the brand’s first
U.S. House on Manhattan’s iconic 5th Avenue. With further expansion underway in
both London and New York, and franchise opportunities on the horizon, WatchHouse
is poised to bring its distinctive coffee experience to even more communities.
WatchHouse’s focus on quality and innovation extends beyond its spaces. Through
the Rarities programme, coffee lovers can enjoy an exclusive selection of rare coffees
on pour-over at every House, offering an elevated coffee experience found in very few
places worldwide. This unique programme, alongside WatchHouse’s dedication to
guest experience, sets it apart from both independent and global chains, including
Starbucks, % Arabica, and Caffè Nero, who were also nominated in the category.
Reflecting on the award, Horne emphasised the brand’s continued growth: “We’ve
gone from a small shop in Bermondsey Street to competing alongside some of the
most established names in the industry. This recognition reminds us of what we can
accomplish as we look to the next ten years and beyond. We’re excited to see where
the WatchHouse journey takes us as we continue to innovate and bring Modern
Coffee to new corners of the world.”
As WatchHouse closes out its milestone tenth anniversary year with this significant
accolade, it is clear that the brand’s impact on the coffee industry is only growing.
From London to New York and with an eye toward the future, WatchHouse stands as
a benchmark for quality, community, and an unforgettable coffee experience.
