Welcome to Broche - 'the smallest coffee shop in Oxford'

Broche is owned by Shamsudi Tatarkhanov who came to the UK aged 16 after growing up in Chechnya.

The Oxford Brookes University graduate spent a long time looking for a suitable space in the city for his shop but initially could not find anywhere.

READ MORE: Large sheet of glass falls onto shopping street

Then Jericho Barbers in Kingston Road, north Oxford, said he could share space with them and he opened this week, selling coffees and pastries from a hatch.

Mr Tatarkhanov, 21, said: "Broche means a brooch but in the French language.

"Our philosophy centres around the idea of the importance and significance of details, much like a tiny brooch.

"I started searching for a commercial unit while I was completing my final coursework, but I couldn't find any, as it was challenging for a student to be taken seriously.

"However, I have managed to share the space with Jericho Barbers, and we spent four months on renovation work by ourselves."

Mr Tatarkhanov added that a small bakery unit has also been rented in Kidlington.

"We use the highest quality ingredients, as well as equipment, and believe that everything we do should be outstanding," he said.

"We offer brownies, cookies, madeleines, and our signature caneles.

"And we are using high-grade responsibly sourced coffee from countries like Ethiopia, Colombia, and Guatemala.

"As our shop operates full takeaway, we decided that we have to adopt a sustainable approach, so all our packaging, including paper lids, cups, and compostable boxes, is fully recyclable."

The 'minimalist' design for the shop was developed by the NAAW Design Agency from Kazakhstan.

Mr Tatarkhanov added: "We opened just a few days ago - I think we could be the smallest coffee shop in Oxford, with just a few seats outside.

"It's been busy so far and customers include people going to work, mums with pushchairs and cyclists who do not want to park their bikes.

"The barber shop had some space so they are letting me trade from there.

"We are a small group of enthusiastic, young but responsible individuals trying to bring about some change to the coffee market in Oxford."

At the moment the coffee shop is open 8am to 5pm seven days a week. 

Prices are competitive says Mr Tatarkhanov - a small Americano costs £2.70.

There is only one other member of staff but that could rise to three in the coming months.

Jericho Barbers offers a 20 per cent student discount Monday-Thursday and is open 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe 

As a digital subscriber you will get: 

• Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website 
• Advert-light access 
• Reader rewards 
• Full access to our app 

About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.