Ground Plant Based Coffee
About Ground Coffee Swansea
Speciality coffee shop and cafe serving a 100% plant based menu. Vegan cakes and savouries handmade on the premises. Now includes an innovative sit-in menu including the UK’s first Lion’s Mane Burger. All drinks made with oat milk as standard. We are an ethically-minded, inclusive and welcoming community space – that attracts students, locals, vegans, tradespeople and everyone in-between!
Mission Statement/ Values
Serving up the very finest in plant based food and drink – to help fight climate change, improve people’s health and the lives of animals. Eating a plant based diet is the biggest thing anyone can do to reduce their carbon footprint. We are also a plastic free business.
Try It For Yourself!
Origin Story
Founders Names
Helen Wilson and Matt Barker-Smith
Year Founded
2021
How It All Began
Ground Plant Based Coffee in Swansea is co-owned by vegan chef and consultant, Helen Wilson and three-times national Sup Surf Champion, Matt-Barker Smith and opened as a tiny coffee bar in 2021, shortly after the pandemic. It has now grown into a vibrant cafe with seating for 18 people. Helen has spent the last 17 years promoting, teaching and creating vegan food. She has delivered dozens of talks and cookery demonstrations across the UK and her recipes have appeared in many major food magazines, books and websites. At Ground, you can enjoy speciality coffee from Extract Coffee Roasters in Bristol, alongside handmade vegan cakes, bakes, savouries and full lunch plates. In October 2023, a full inside seating area with log burner was opened. We are growing a community for change – pioneering serving coffee as standard with oat milk in our effort to help fight climate change. We aim to be a cosy, inclusive and welcoming space to all. Ground Plant Based Coffee in Swansea is recommended in Wales’ No.1 Independent Coffee Guide 2023o and has over fifty 5* reviews on Google.
Challenges Overcome
Opening just after the pandemic was extremely difficult. It has been our passion and hard work that has pushed us through – with the support of some brilliant loyal customers.
What Drives Your Passion
I wake up everyday excited about cooking amazing food for people that doesn’t contain animals! (Helen)
What Sets Your Business Apart
Ground pioneered using Oat Milk as standard in coffee in Swansea. We have just created the UK’s first Lion’s Mane Burger.
Biggest Accomplishments or Milestones
Being listed in The No. 1 Coffee Guide for Wales.
Looking Ahead
Continuing to raise the profile of plant based food in Swansea.
Advice For Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Choose something you are passionate about, something you could talk all day about! And be prepared to work really hard. But it will be worth it.