As students, finding a café that offers both affordable drinks as well as the right environment to work in can be difficult, time-consuming, and overwhelming. With so many options, how can we easily decide where to go?
Cafés can be extremely convenient on a cold day, especially when the library or other study spaces are crowded. They provide a great study space and social space, as well as food and drinks! Cafés are extremely popular, with over 7000 in the UK, and over 10 in Stourbridge, so this article will provide the rundowns on Stourbridge’s many cafes, is Coffee No.1 really No.1? Despite being a franchise, is Costa the most affordable, or should we turn to independent businesses?
Whilst some places can be convenient, such as Costa being so close to college, having a second location in the Rye Market, and having affordable drinks, I believe that it all comes down to the atmosphere of the café.
Personally, me and my friends got the best experience from “Cup” on Coventry Street, which has recently opened. We found this a relaxing, comforting environment with affordable and tasty drinks and snacks.
However, if we were to look at the cheaper side of things, a coffee from McDonalds or Greggs will be your best bet, and as students, we are not known for having lots of money to spend! Despite this, I still think having a nice atmosphere for studying and socialising is very important, which these two businesses cannot always provide. Plenty of options can be found on the high street too, such as a café Nero and Coffee No.1, however, can typically get busy, and be on the higher side of the price range.
The final place to look at is none other than the King Ed’s coffee van, which on one hand is extremely convenient and affordable, due to only being aimed at students. On the other hand, though, if the study spaces in college are full and it is raining outside, you may find it harder to find somewhere to slacken, study or socialise, which makes it difficult for this to be put in first place.
To conclude, I would place “Cup” as the number one café in Stourbridge, not just due to its great atmosphere and ambiance, but the affordability and range of their drinks and treats, one student saying it’s the “best way to get away from the stresses of college, whilst still managing to get college work done!”