Hampshire Coffee Business Brews Up Success with Start Up Loans

Bean & Gone, a Hampshire-based coffee business, has secured £50,000 in funding through the Start Up Loans programme, delivered by GC Business Finance (GCBF) on behalf of the British Business Bank.

Founded by Nick Rawbin in 2023, Bean & Gone began as a mobile coffee van serving specialty coffee crafted with a “unique blend,” created in collaboration with a local coffee roaster. Rawbin’s passion for coffee started during his university years, where he worked in coffee shops to support himself, gaining experience across both large chains and independent brands. This inspired his dream to launch his own coffee business.

To support the next phase of growth, Bean & Gone secured two Start Up Loans of £25,000 each, totalling £50,000. This funding enabled the business to transition from a mobile coffee van to its first permanent location at Café Hogmoor in Bordon, where it now serves its signature blends to a growing customer base.

Nick Rawbin said: "Having worked in the coffee industry for over ten years, I am proud to have turned this passion into a well-loved business. 

"We work hard to source the best coffee possible and are keen to champion other small businesses by working with local coffee roasters.

"As a first-time entrepreneur, I was worried about accessing finance, but the GC Business Finance team were really helpful and made the process quick and simple. 

"The funding has helped us to take the business to the next level and open our first shop in Hampshire. The support we have received from our local community already has been amazing and we are excited to now move onto our next stage of growth in Cafe Hogmoor."

Alex Mearns, Head of Start Up Lending at GC Business Finance, said: "In just one year Bean & Gone has already achieved so much growth and has been able to move into its own premises.

"Nick has turned a passion for coffee into a full-time business which is loved by his local community, and we are proud to have been a part of his journey. 

"Daniel Hughes, the underwriter for this deal, and the rest of the GCBF team play an important role in helping smaller businesses in the South East and beyond to thrive and we look forward to seeing what is next for this business."

Louise McCoy, Commercial Managing Director, Small Business Lending at the British Business Bank, added: "Nick has followed his love for coffee and transformed it into a business that is well-known by its local community. His determination and success should encourage others to follow their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. 

"It is incredible to see businesses throughout the South East scale and grow through the Start Up Loans programme and I look forward to seeing what Nick will achieve as he moves into his first premises."