The Press Room — Restaurant in London

As others have noted, the suspended coffee scheme is an outdated and illogical ‘charitable donation’ scheme that actually profits the business that is running it.

Just because other coffee shops also do it, it doesn’t make it right.

There’s a reason absolutely none of the large chains do it - because they have very strict governance policies as public companies that would not allow them to profit from something that is being labelled as charitable.

For anyone who doesn’t know, the Suspended Coffee scheme means you as a customer pay for an extra coffee, to be given to a needy person - this is a lovely charitable gesture from a visiting customer, there is no argument there.

The shop then makes a publicly visible note about that donation for all to see. The next time a needy person comes in, they are offered a free coffee, using that earlier donation. So that’s great for the needy person too.

But the weird part is that the shop still profits at full level from that earlier customer’s charitable donation.

So for the shop, advertising the suspended coffee scheme and enticing lovely charitably minded customers to donate, actually also increases the shop's own profits just like all other purchases do. That’s why the big chains don’t do it - because it’s selling stuff at the same profit margin under the label of charity. The shop still makes the same profit from enticing customers to do something charitable. Surely the shop should match their customers charitable intentions, rather than greedily pocketing the full profit from such donations - especially when the shop are encouraging it.

Ps. no intention at all of accusing the shop of using the scheme purely to make money. I wouldn't profess to know or even guess which charitable donations that anyone makes. All I am saying is that this scheme is one which means any shop that uses it, profits from it personally, which in my opinion is wrong. Why not choose a charitable scheme (which is a lovely thing to do indeed) which does not profit the organisation?

Personally, I like the idea used by another independent (they had a pilot shop in Waterloo recently), whereby they give customers the well-known 10-coffee loyalty card with the cute twist being that when you're on your 10th, you don't get the free coffee, but the next person to order a coffee does instead! That way, the shop are giving away a free coffee (so make no profit from that free coffee, as it's really being given by the shop) and they don't profess to judge the neediness of the person awarded it (because as we all know, sometimes the most needy don't look it).

And finally, I think the Press Room is a great addition to Surbiton, it's well presented, obviously has caring owners and is in many ways a massive plus to Surbiton. This is not a rant against it, but purely a request to consider an alternative charitable scheme that does not in any way add to the business's own profits. That way the kind and savvy of Surbiton could continue to give ... and the needy would get a bit more too (ie the profits). Surely that's a good...

The Press Room is the sort of place that every town should have. With an extremely comprehensive range of espresso-based drinks (I counted 12) and boasting 21 Terrific Teas (the menu neglects to say how many mediocre teas are served, but I suspect that the number is zero), the Press Room has something for everyone. If coffee and tea aren’t your thing then there are almost as many cold drinks, as well as wine, champagne and speciality beer. And cake. And toasted sandwiches.

Add to that, the Press Room is a lovely space to sit and consume these things. It’s a friendly, lively place, bright and spacious, with some very accommodating, happy staff, who are really committed to the business. There’s a bar by the fully-retractable front windows, tables outside (on an admittedly busy/noisy street) and a generous provision of tables inside. The background music is unobtrusive and, in keeping with the name, there’s a supply of magazines that you can sit and read.

My cortado (equal parts coffee to steamed mik) was excellent, the Bakewell slice top-notch and the roasted-peppers and hummous sandwich superb. Best of all, it's just a couple of minutes walk from...

I visited The Press Room on Sunday just gone. What a buzzy little place it is. Being a decaf drinker, I can confirm they have great decaf coffee beans. WIN!

Dine in, was a decaf oat milk latte (Oatly - Barista edition) & it was so good I decided to get a take out, decaf oat milk mocha. To get asked at the till...“Do you want that to be white, milk or dark chocolate?“.

I loved that bit. An extra twist to their service. I went for dark and my goodness, was it yummmyyy!

They even showcase local artists work, such as @angus_creative (IG account) as shown in photo.

I do love a local cafe which supports local artists. 👌🏼 Brownie point there.

What's in the paper bag? You may ask...it was a vegan brownie protein ball from @purposefoods_official (IG account). 10/10.

I've given 4* because I didn't have a sandwich etc, so I can't give a review on the food. Plus, when I went to order a half price coffee for take out, with the jubilee deal, it was only for hot coffee, no iced coffee / matcha / chai. But saying that, I was very happy with my Mocha...