Bear reveals plans for latest new outlet

Independent coffee and lifestyle brand Bear has revealed plans to open its eighth UK store later this year.

The firm, which serves sustainably sourced speciality coffee, seasonal fresh food, cocktails, and craft beer, will open the new outlet in Wimborne, East Dorset.

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.

Last month, it launched a £2 million crowdfunding campaign to support its national expansion.

Craig Bunting, who founded the business with Michael Thorley, said: “Ever since we partnered with our newest Investors – Poole-based Clark Group – we have spent more time down south together, and it’s felt more and more like the most natural and exciting next step for our brand.

“We’ve always hoped that we’d be able to bring BEAR closer to the coast one day, and now it feels so wild that dream is actually coming true.”