Getting the EDGE: How Forty Years of Innovation Keep Us Thriving

Well, it’s certainly been a full-on year for everyone. Still, in true British fashion, we’ve kept a stiff upper lip and carried on, enjoying a nice cup of tea (or coffee) when the going gets tough—and I must say, as a business, hooray for that!

As a founder stepping back, I’ve realised it’s not a one-step operation. It’s a process, and perhaps a bit tougher than I thought. I’m truly grateful for Stewart’s patience and dedication—he’s treated the business with the same care as an owner would, which means a lot to me. I try my best not to interfere too much but perhaps hope that I can still offer the benefit of my (rather more years than I’d like to admit) experience here and there!

Looking ahead, we know there will be further challenges. Even with this year’s black-swan moment when coffee prices doubled, a good cup of coffee remains an affordable luxury. We’re fortunate to have strong, decades-long relationships with suppliers, and we remain committed to quality and integrity—no shrinkflation or cutting corners here.

Finally, a genuine thank you to our customers. You’re a discerning bunch, and we hope you’ll continue to enjoy the fruits of our roastery, whether you’re sipping your brew at home in deepest, darkest Cornwall or right here in the welcoming surroundings of the EDGE Café.

From all of us at EDGE, we hope you are enjoying a peaceful and family filled holiday –Happy New Year to you all!

As I reflect on the year just gone, what stands out most is our people and the community around us.

I’m incredibly proud of what the team has achieved, not just in terms of skills and responsibility, but in confidence, collaboration, and the care shown for one another. The shared sense of purpose has been genuinely encouraging and continues to remind me that our greatest strength lies in the people who show up every day and give their best.

This year also allowed us to step further into our community. Through charity gifts, sponsored runs, and representing EDGE in new and meaningful ways, it’s been hugely rewarding to see the business out in the world doing good. I’m equally proud of the work we’ve done refining the brand and packaging—honouring our heritage while moving forward in a thoughtful, considered way that reflects both where we’ve come from and where we’re heading..

It’s been a challenging year, but we finish it stronger than we started. There’s real momentum, growing belief, and a great deal to look forward to as we head into 2026. Thank you to everyone who’s played a part in this journey—I’m excited for what comes next.

Considering where my year started, I’m very pleased with where we’ve finished. A perfect storm of macroeconomic factors in January saw green coffee prices almost double and hit an all-time high. Far from an ideal start to a new role as coffee buyer, with the responsibility of growing volumes while protecting quality and managing costs.

Twelve months on, prices remain high and volatility looks set to stay. By pulling together, getting creative, and leaning on long-trusted relationships with supply partners at origin, we’ve weathered the storm without compromising on quality and while minimising the impact on our loyal coffee community.

More than simply surviving, we’ve adapted and grown, building new partnerships and expanding our offering with a wider range of single-origin and seasonal coffees alongside our flagship espresso blends. A personal highlight was refurbishing the warehouse to increase green coffee storage, tested by the safe arrival of our first direct-trade shipment from Burundi over the summer.

Tt’s also been incredibly rewarding to see the team develop, particularly Alex, who started the year as a barista and now finishes it as a highly capable production roaster and confident coffee taster.

The arrival of our new packaging was another major milestone, and I’m excited for the year ahead. Continuing to source outstanding coffees and connect drinkers with growers through great brews and meaningful stories.

What a year it’s been! Despite the challenges faced across hospitality, we were lucky enough to enjoy one of our best years yet. A huge thank you to our incredible regulars, the true backbone of Edge, and a warm welcome to everyone who discovered us this year. Your support of our small, local business means the world.

This year also brought exciting updates to our space: we extended the café counter to expand our menu (including adding a third coffee grinder for speciality single-origin espresso!) and redesigned the shop to showcase our coffee range and local makers.

You may have also noticed some new faces this year! We’ve expanded our team to meet growing demand — so please say hello to Jack, Emma, Sunnie and Cadence. I also stepped into the role of Café and Store Manager, which has been an exciting next step. It did mean taking charge of Christmas at Edge, so if Santa misses the market… my email may have gone straight to the North Pole’s spam folder!

We also loved collaborating with local businesses like The Dedicated Gym, Ace Donuts and Made by Her. We’re excited to build on these partnerships with even more events and collaborations in 2026 — onwards and upwards!