BEAR, situated on Iron Gate in Cathedral Quarter, has launched its first-ever crowdfunding campaign, targeting £2 million to support further growth in the Midlands and national expansion. BEAR serves sustainably sourced specialty coffee, seasonal fresh food, cocktails, and craft beer in beautifully thought-out spaces.
Since opening its first store in 2016, BEAR has expanded to operate from seven locations across the Midlands and Cheshire—Uttoxeter, Derby, Stone, Derbion, Northwich, Ashbourne, and Nottingham—and sold over one million coffees. BEAR aims to more than quadruple its footprint across the UK and plans to open 22 new stores over the next five years.
In 2020, BEAR launched its online store and at-home coffee subscriptions, which have grown organically as more stores opened in new areas. This ongoing innovation and people-first approach resulted in 39% revenue growth for the year ended 31 March 2024 compared to the same period the year before. With strong foundations and focus, BEAR has positioned itself as a brand ready for well-planned growth.
Founded by lifelong friends Craig Bunting and Michael Thorley, BEAR began as a business inspired by Craig’s travels in Australia and Michael’s adventurous Royal Marines background. What started in a shed with a supermarket espresso machine has grown into a thriving brand, creating more than 130 jobs locally.
Investors in the campaign will receive a range of rewards, from free coffee and brunch to exclusive discounts and even lifetime subscriptions to BEAR’s at-home coffee range. This is BEAR’s way of saying thank you for believing in the brand and supporting their journey.
BEAR’s success has always been driven by the support of the community. Whether you’ve enjoyed a flat white in a BEAR store, connected with them online, or even if you’re completely new to the brand but feel engaged with their story, BEAR invites you to join them on this new adventure. Their ambition is to continue to create spaces that inspire adventure, connection, and a sense of belonging.
In 2022, BEAR raised investment from family coffee company Clark Group, known for investing in brands including Bremont, Monica Vinader, and Vivobarefoot. BEAR has a winning team backed by experts passionate about growing great brands with shared values.
For more information about BEAR’s crowdfunding campaign and how you can get involved, visit https://bemorebear.co/invest.
