LOCAL HERO

LOCAL HERO                                                                                      22 Thames Street - Kingston upon Thames - KT1 1PE

Just off the main shopping street of Kingston Upon Thames, one of the UK's busiest shopping towns, sits Local Hero. This newly refurbished Coffee Shop acts as a relaxing rest stop for shoppers and coffee lovers alike. However during peak times of the day you may struggle to get a table and may have to queue to get your order in. Although this just reinforces how good this Coffee Shop is, popularity doesn't come with bad coffee...  

When you first go into Local Hero, you get a sense of beach cafe, this is primarily due to the heavy use of wood in the design of the shop, quaint lighting fixtures alongside some that you may imagine to be meant for outside, and different outworks and photographs give it a slightly edgy feel, yet still completely pleasant to be surrounded by.

The selection of coffees, teas and soft drinks that Local Hero provide are very much like that of your standard independent coffee establishment, however the numerous different cup size that they offer set it aside from other Coffee Shops in the area. Freshly prepared sandwiches, wraps and croissants sit alongside many sweet comestibles for you to enjoy with your coffee. The prices here are reasonable and having that second or third coffee doesn't fill you with the guilt franchised Coffee Shops may provide.

If ever a pass through Kingston occurs, Local Hero is perfectly suited to for filling the task of refuelling with coffee and food and also to sit peacefully whilst the rush of the busy shopping town passes by the window. Local Hero sits upon my Top 10 coffee shops, check out the list to see others from around the world!

COFFEE             - 3/5
SETTING            - 4/5
ATMOSPHERE   - 2/5

OVERALL           - 3/5

Samuel
September 2014

G!RO CAFE

G!RO CAFE                                                                                                             2 High Street - Esher - Surrey - KT10 9RT

http://www.girocycles.com/pages/cafe

Situated just outside of London is G!RO. A cycling culture point and a smalltime cafe. This independent cafe was set up to be a hub for cyclists across London and Surrey to meet before and after a cycle. Owned and run predominantly by cyclists themselves it soon became popular in cycling culture in its surrounding area. Yet its modern, clean design and warming atmosphere has allowed it to not only have this popularity in cyclists but also in those who want good coffee, good food and good prices.

Once arriving at G!RO, you immediately understand why it has such an appeal to people, high quality finish with homely touches create an atmosphere that you want to sit in for hours (which is why I somehow stayed for 3). The whole feeling of commercialism that you may get in a franchised coffee shop such as Starbucks is practically non existent here.

Surrounding you is primarily cycling memorabilia and equipment, but the odd photograph breaks it up enough to not get a sense of sports club when you are having your coffee.

G!RO offer a vast array of coffee, both hot and cold brewed alongside a selection of cakes, pastries and savoury treats to enjoy with the excellent coffee. Everything seemed to be priced well for the quality that you receive. Coffees ranging form £2 - £4 and accompaniments from £2 - £8. 

I would very much advise a visit to G!RO if you are ever to pass through London or Surrey, It currently sits on top of my Top 10 coffee shops, and will be a hard one to knock off.

COFFEE             - 4/5
SETTING            - 4/5
ATMOSPHERE   - 4/5

OVERALL           - 4/5

Samuel

September 2014

Colour photo is my own, B&W photos credit girocycles.com