The agreement commits to a minimum of eight stores across the county, with the first opening expected in Nottingham city centre in early 2026. Known for its energy, creativity and large student population, Nottingham has long been on Black Sheep Coffee’s radar as a city primed for a bold, challenger coffee brand.
The territory will be developed by existing Black Sheep Coffee franchise partners Luke Underhill and James Pascoe, as the brand extends its partnership with the duo following their entry into the network earlier this year. Luke and James recently opened their first store at Chantry Place, Norwich, marking an important milestone in their journey with the brand.
Highly experienced branded clothing and fashion retailers, Luke and James bring a strong understanding of high-footfall locations, customer experience and scalable retail operations. Their decision to commit to Nottinghamshire reflects a shared ambition to be part of Black Sheep Coffee’s long-term growth story and to introduce the brand to new audiences across the UK.
Strong city centre sites are expected to anchor the early phase of the rollout, helping establish Black Sheep Coffee as a visible and distinctive presence in Nottingham’s coffee scene. As the estate grows, the new stores will also create local jobs and contribute to the vibrancy of the communities they serve. For many customers in the region, this expansion will mark their first experience of Black Sheep Coffee, introducing the brand’s bold Robusta blends and high-energy approach to a county that has never had a Black Sheep Coffee before.
Izzy Childs, EMEA growth director at Black Sheep Coffee: said, “Nottingham has been a long-standing opportunity for Black Sheep Coffee. It’s a city full of energy, students and independent thinking: exactly the kind of place where our brand resonates. Luke and James bring strong retail experience and a clear ambition to grow with us, and we’re excited to work together to establish a real Black Sheep Coffee presence across Nottinghamshire.”
