South Coast Coffee — Restaurant in England

We are long-time customers of South Coast Coffee (formerly South Coast Roast), going back to when they were owned by the same people as Boscanova.

We always loved going there for brunch and/or coffee and would always grab a bag of Bad Hand beans and a sourdough load to take home. Until now, it was the only thing keeping us coming into Bournemouth's now dilapidated town centre.

We visited this morning expecting the usual great coffee, vegan food and friendly and quirky atmosphere. However, to our surprise, all this friendliness and quirkiness seems to have been stripped away - all the pride flags, local artwork, left-wing stickers on the coffee machine and pro-palestine stuff was gone. The walls have been painted a boring minty colour and a 'B&M chic' bumblebee wall hanging has been stuck on the wall, seemingly without a second thought.

I ordered the overnight oats and my partner ordered the shrooms on toast. Apparently these were the only vegan options left on the menu which is apparently in the middle of being "changed". To our disappointment as well, the food was not up to its usual standard - far from it. My oats, which used to come with a delicious sweet tahini that I believe was made in-house instead came with a big spoonful of regular, very bitter savoury tahini that did not complement the oats or fruit at all. The fruit was also underripe and the oats were very bland, making for overall a very bitter, savoury and unpleasant meal that I couldn't finish. My partner's shrooms on toast which normally come with a delicious vegan cashew cheese instead had bog standard houmous in its place. The coffee was also not up to its usual high standard - not bad but very average.

I've noticed lately that the diverse group of staff that usually work there seek to have disappeared - perhaps this is related to the removal of the pride flags?

I don't know what has happened to South Coast - presumably new ownership - but we were very disappointed with our visit today and will not be coming back.

I wonder if the new owners or management believed that stripping the cafe of its pride flags and left-wing imagery would make it more appealing to the general public. As a result, however, I fear they have ostracised their regular customers. It certainly doesn't feel like the same inclusive space...

This business does not treat its staff with respect and fails to follow UK employment law. A recent health inspection confirmed serious hygiene issues that staff had been raising concerns about for months—yet the owner ignored every warning.

The work environment became hostile, especially towards the mostly LGBTQIA+ team. A transgender staff member was publicly confronted by the owner about their clothing in front of customers, despite there being no written or verbal uniform policy—something that breaches the Employment Rights Act 1996, which states employees must be informed of any dress code in writing. This also falls under The Equality Act 2010, which protects transgender individuals from discrimination in the workplace, including being singled out or treated unfairly due to their gender identity.

When staff spoke up about this treatment, the owner had all Pride flags and stickers removed from the shop without warning, claiming it was for “redecorating.” When challenged on his actions, he lashed out, screaming at staff outside the shop. Every employee left due to the toxic environment, and we were all blocked on social media. He will do everything in his power to refute these claims, as he always has—blaming staff instead of taking responsibility. But we are not scared to speak out, because it is the right thing to do.

As you can see from the photos below, South Coast Coffee is no longer a safe space for everyone. This used to be a go to coffee shop, now it’s just boring and totally ordinary and they know it.

New staff have taken 99.9% of all vegan vegetarian options off the menu. Most food items have been replaced with cheaper lower quality items that you will now have the pleasure of paying more for as they have also put the prices up.

There are things I can’t write here, but people are not as stupid as he thinks. Just because you have money does not give you the right to treat people this way. There are far better independent businesses that actually respect their staff—this is not one of...

South Coast Coffee used to be a shining light in the community - welcoming, inclusive, and a space that truly championed LGBTQIA+ people. That is, until the current owner took it upon themselves to strip the place of everything that made it special. Over the past few months, all the incredible queer staff have been quietly forced out, replaced by a small, soulless team that embodies the cafe’s new sterile feel.

The decor has been completely erased. Gone are the pride flags, the bold political statements that once stood for something, and the beautiful artwork of local queer artists. In their place? A whitewashed, personality-free aesthetic that reeks of someone desperately trying to erase the cafe’s past. It no longer stands for anything - it’s just another dull, overpriced coffee shop with no heart.

And then there’s the menu. Every vegan option has been removed, and if you want plant milk, prepare to pay extra. The food itself? Basic, uninspired, and nowhere near the quality it once was. And yet, despite the downgrade, the prices have shot up. You’re now paying more for a place that offers less- less choice, less quality, and less soul.

The worst part is knowing why all of this has happened. The owner has made their views very clear, and it’s no coincidence that every queer staff member is gone. South Coast Coffee has been gutted, not just physically but ideologically. There’s a reason none of the familiar, friendly faces are there anymore.

If you believe in supporting inclusive, ethical businesses, do not give this place your money. There are far better cafes out there - ones that actually respect their staff and their community. South Coast Coffee has made its stance clear. Let’s respond by taking our...