The first Urban Coffee outlet opens soon on Church Street in Birmingham's financial district. The owners have started a blog to track their progress, which should make for a fascinating read.

They describe themselves thus:

"We have no experience in retail or coffee and it's the worst economic conditions since the War!!!"

Good luck folks!

I've got a few tips for the Urban Coffee posse - if they've not done so already I suggest they check out the fantastic Saint Caffe on St. Paul's Square as a great example of how to "do" the coffee shop concept. Also, a coffee shop in that area that opens later in the evening would be greatly appreciated!

“People around us were getting a flat or house and then were unable to furnish it,” she said. “This often caused a spiral which ended in their not being able to keep the tenancy or get another. The furniture project was simple. We sought donations of unwanted, good quality, furniture and then passed the pieces on to people who needed them.”