Paddy & Scott's relaunches as The Mix Coffee Shop

Why it matters: The Mix, based in Stowmarket, uses a social enterprise model in which every coffee sold helps fund free mentoring, employability support, alternative education, life skills programmes and safe spaces for young people aged nine to 25 across Suffolk. With grant funding under increasing pressure, the income generated by its coffee shops is central to the charity's long-term resilience.

The details: The Ipswich Waterfront site is The Mix's first presence in Ipswich, and is designed to be more than just a café. Located within the University of Suffolk, it aims to serve as a welcoming community and informal youth space for students, professionals and visitors.

The launch has been made possible through partnerships with Paddy & Scott's Coffee and the University of Suffolk, with staff and students continuing to receive the same discount as before. The University's involvement also opens the door to training opportunities and work experience for the young people The Mix supports.

The bigger picture: Ipswich Waterfront is the first of two newly launched sites this year, alongside The Mix Coffee Shop on Hadleigh High Street. The charity also plans to bring cafés located in Stowmarket and Needham Lake under the same branding later this year.

What they're saying: John Blair, CEO of The Mix, said: "Ipswich felt like the right place for us to grow into. There's real energy here, and a community that cares about its young people.

"Every visit to The Mix Coffee Shop can help fund the mentoring session, the drop-in, the conversation with a trusted adult that can change a young person's life. We want people to feel welcome here, and to know that coming for a coffee means being part of something that matters."

Nigel Lucker, chief estates officer at the University of Suffolk, said: "We are delighted to welcome The Mix to our Waterfront Building, and to support their ambitions and activity to boost opportunities for young people in Ipswich and Suffolk."

Jon Reed, CEO of Paddy & Scott's, said: "We've always wanted Paddy & Scott's Coffee to deliver more than great taste. Community has always been at the heart of what we do, so it's wonderful to be working with The Mix to see this location grow into a coffee shop that can offer young people careers, training, and support — and the wider community a really warm welcome."

The bottom line: The Mix Coffee Shop brings a fresh purpose to a familiar Ipswich waterfront spot, giving the local community a simple but meaningful way to support young people across Suffolk - starting one cup at a time.

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