New Independent Coffee Shop Set to Open in Central London

A fast-growing South African coffee company is set to open its first store in the United Kingdom, marking a major milestone in the brand’s international expansion.

Platō Coffee has announced it will launch a new café in central London on 7 April 2026, located at 8–9 Norton Folgate on Bishopsgate near Liverpool Street Station. The opening will be the company’s first venture outside Africa.

The coffee brand was founded in 2019 by brothers Stephan and Petrus Bredell in Centurion, South Africa. The business began as a small operation selling coffee from a shipping container before gradually expanding into a national chain.

Since its launch, the company has grown rapidly. As of 2026, Platō Coffee operates more than 130 stores across Southern Africa and employs over 500 people.

The company has also developed its own coffee roastery, bakery and training infrastructure to support its expansion.

Unlike many café chains that concentrate on major cities, the founders initially focused on smaller towns and suburban lifestyle centres across South Africa. This strategy helped the brand build strong community connections and attract a loyal customer base.

In 2022 the company introduced a franchise model, which accelerated its growth and allowed it to expand into new markets.

More recently, Platō opened its first international location in Harare, Zimbabwe, before turning its attention to Europe.

The upcoming London café is expected to serve the company’s speciality coffee drinks and showcase its minimalist store design, which has become a recognisable feature of the brand’s outlets.

London was chosen for the company’s first European store because of the city’s large and diverse coffee market, which includes both independent cafés and international chains competing for customers.

The London opening represents a significant step for the brand as it moves from a regional success story to a global coffee company. If the launch proves successful, Platō Coffee has indicated it may expand further into the UK and other international markets in the future.