News

An Angus coffee business set up by two professional footballers is looking to the future after three major contract wins.

Maison Dieu Coffee Roasters in Brechin is run by Scotland and Rangers defender player John Souttar and ex-Dundee United player Euan Spark.

John started the firm with colleague Euan, wife Kayley and brother Harry after fearing his football career might be ended by a second ruptured Achilles tendon.

The 26-year-old says they could not have asked for a better start to the business.

“Euan and I underwent intensive training courses to learn about roasting beans, how to become a proficient barista and sustainability within the industry,” he said.

“Since then, we’ve worked closely with cafes and businesses in the area, showing the work that goes into making speciality coffee.

“From supplying our coffee beans to training, we are on a mission to educate about great-tasting coffee.”

The pair have plans to grow the business, particularly in online and wholesale markets.

Euan said: “This is just the beginning for Maison Dieu.  Our monthly subscriptions are incredibly popular and have seen a 70% increase over the past six months.

“We’ve got big plans and expansion is very much a key focus for our year two strategy as we increase our wholesale market share and develop our direct-to-consumer offering.”

Maison Dieu has signed contracts with Café Noir in Stonehaven and Fitzroy Café in Edinburgh.

It has also agreed a deal with its biggest customer to date – Billing Aquadrome in England.

The site – part of Royale Resorts which owns 40 parks across the UK – is set in 235 acres with more than 2.000 lodges, making it the second largest holiday park in the UK.

The deal with Maison Dieu signals the first time Billing Aquadrome has introduces speciality coffee to its customers.

Euan added: “Billing Aquadrome is our first customer south of the border.

“This is the first of any Royale resort site to move away from big chain named coffee.”

The firm sells its coffee from premises on Montrose Street and online.  It also operates a popular takeaway window serving home-baked cakes and toasties, employing local high school pupils as baristas.