Penwortham brothers brewing up success in the heart of Preston

Adam Jonah Gardner, centre, has set up Jonah's coffee shop at Preston's new box market, transforming a shipping container to a sit-in and take away coffee shop, pictured with brother Luke Gardner, left, and friend Andy Mayer, right, who helped with the installation.

Jonah’s opened last weekend in one of the newly-installed container in the Box Market, under the 1920s Fish Market canopy.

Adam Gardner, 23, and Luke Gardner, 26, were among the first to secure a box, but delayed opening as they continued to build their mobile coffee business.

Adam, from Penwortham, said: “It’s been great to see all the people come out and support us. New people are coming to try our coffee and chat to us. It’s been good fun so far.”

Adam Jonah Gardner has set up Jonah's coffee shop at Preston's new box market, transforming a shipping container to a sit-in and take away coffee shop.

The former All Hallow’s pupil added: “I’ve been wanting to open a coffee shop for a bit. We’ve been doing festivals with our portable cart, and then the opportunity came about for a box. The price impressed us and it’s a great part of town.

“We hope to take on a bigger plot eventually, but we’re concentrating on building step by step.”

The brothers, who are being supported by friends helping out at the shop, are concentrating on speciality coffees, but also sell a range of other soft drinks, cakes and coffee equipment.

Adam said: “We use quality beans, but any coffee shop can buy nice beans, its about how you extract it and how you balance flavours.

“You have to be really attentive to your craft and get the flavours right.”

The Box Market is a development of upgraded shipping containers under the 1920s Fish Market canopy. The idea is being tested over three years and any long term decision on its future will depend on how successfully it has traded.