Car firm owner to branch out with coffee venture

Mark Frankland, who owns Motor Marque in West Park, has opened Refresca coffee shop on Tredgold Avenue.

The opening has created five new jobs and Mr Frankland hopes will fill a gap in the market due to a lack of coffee shops in Bramhope.

Mr Frankland, who has a keen interest in aviation, was inspired to set up the coffee shop by his travels.

The entrepreneur has always dreamt of recreating the stylish coffee shops found in the many European cities he has visited.

Mr Frankland said: “Nineteen years ago I started Motor Marque on my own from my van, and have grown that into a thriving business employing 22 people.”

He added: “I have always wanted to open a coffee shop, having been lucky enough to go to some of the finest coffee houses throughout the world and was keen to re-create a similar experience back at home.

“In Bramhope there was no quality offering, or in fact any of the normal high-street coffee shops, so I saw a real gap in the market for Refresca where we serve the very finest coffee, refreshing tea and of course delicious food to soak it all up with.

“All our products are ethically sourced and where possible, sourced locally from smaller businesses which supports the community.

“We also regularly test and check the provenance of everything we do, so we even know which cows kindly produce the milk we use.”

Mr Frankland was advised by Russell Burnett from LCF Barber Titleys, which is part of LCF Law, on the leasing of the building for Refresca.

Mr Burnett said: “I was delighted to advise Mark on some of the legal aspects associated with leasing a new property.

“It’s great to see an entrepreneur like Mark branch out with a new venture.

“Not only is he creating more local jobs, but he has brought a touch of European style to the leafy suburbs of Bramhope and I wish him every success with the business, which is already proving extremely popular with customers.”