Coaltown Coffee Roasters is an independent coffee roastery based in Ammanford, South Wales, that became among the first B Certified Corp coffee companies in the UK.
B Certified Companies are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and also legal responsibility to balance profit and purpose.
The B Corp community pursues decreased inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and the creation of even more top-notch jobs with dignity and purpose.
As a B Certified Corp, Coaltown committed to behaving accountable towards people and the planet.
To become a B Certified Corp, it had to carry out the B Impact Assessment. This rigorous procedure evaluates how its operations and business model impact its employees, community, environment, and clients. From its supply chain and input products to its philanthropic giving and employee benefits, B Corp Certification proves business is satisfying the highest standards of verified performance.
B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy, forming a community of leaders to drive a global movement of people using the company as a force for good.
“Coaltown is B-Corp and B-Corp is Coaltown. Our founding principles were to be ethical, transparent and sustainable, and B-Corp has allowed us to follow set guidelines to ensure that we keep this promise. It’s been a massive achievement to receive this commendation, and all companies should strive for this as a standard for our future.
Scott James started roasting coffee in 2013, initially building his roaster in his father’s garage. He began by supplying coffee shops and restaurants in the local area; however, the business quickly expanded.
In 2016 Scott bought a beautiful vintage 1958 PROBATE Italian coffee roaster. After three years of reconstruction, he installed it in Coaltown’s new premises in Ammanford, just down the road where the business began. Coaltown currently supplies coffee to coffee bars and restaurants across the UK. It also sells its products to the public via its website and is a specialist supermarket.
In 2018 the Coaltown Canteen opened in the same building. Offering coffee, pizzas, and more in a unique roastery environment, it has quickly become a popular destination for people from Ammanford and further afield. Coaltown also runs an espresso bar in the Victorian arcade in the heart of Ammanford.
In the beggining, Coaltown has focused on building sustainable relationships with high-quality growers around the globe. Understanding that the farmers are at the key to make high-quality coffee rather than any supplier or a third party, the company goes straight to the source and removes any middleman. Coaltown’s principals are to pay fairly for the dedication and effort the farmers put in every day.
Situated in an area that experienced a financial decline after the end of the mining industry, Coaltown is committed to bringing jobs and prosperity to the city. As part of this goal, it provides barista training to local people to improve their job prospects. Scott faced limited employment prospects after leaving education, so this is a project close to his heart.
