Spanish flavours brew in North Shields

A North East coffee start-up is shaking up the local café scene by blending continental flavours with a community-focused outdoor setting.

North Shields-based afuera has launched from a distinctive pink coffee pod outside Northumberland Park, bringing a taste of Spain to the coast. 

The venture is the brainchild of founder Jake Rusby, who left a career in public relations to pursue a passion for speciality coffee and outdoor culture.

Offering a range of Spanish-style coffees rarely found in the region, the menu includes Café Bombon and Spanish Latte, alongside speciality teas, matcha, chai, hot chocolates and artisan bakes.

Inspired by time spent cycling in Mallorca last year, the concept was born after Jake first tried a Café Bombon and couldn’t believe he’d never had one in England.

He said: “This all about bringing together two of my greatest passions – coffee and being outside.

“We are fortunate enough to live in one of the most beautiful parts of Britain, with gorgeous green spaces, full of nature’s wonders, and an absolutely stunning coastline.

“For me, the only way to improve a walk around this amazing area is to do it with a coffee – and that’s why I set up afuera.

“Setting up a mobile coffee business has been a pipe dream for a long time, and now I get to do it for real. 

“To see people enjoying where we live holding one of my pink coffee cups is the best feeling in the world.”

Jake in his pink pod

While the theme draws on Mediterranean influences, the business is rooted firmly in the North East, working with local suppliers such as North Shields-based Baristocracy, Whitley Bay-based Wor Matcha and North Shields-based Sweet Patisserie, run by award-winning pastry chef Emma Carlton, for its coffee beans, matcha and baked goods. 

Since opening, afuera, which means ‘outdoors’ in Spanish, has attracted a steady stream of customers, including visitors and Spanish nationals living in the region.

Jake, who is also a published author after releasing Newcastle United Match of my Life in 2023, added: “There’s no better compliment than having people who have spent years drinking Spanish coffees coming back to afuera to get an authentic taste of their homeland, albeit with a North Shields twist.

“This town is the place to be at the moment, a haven for independent business and creatives and I want afuera to be a cornerstone of this incredible community, where I have been lucky enough to live for more than 12 years.

“afuera feels like a special place – I’ve already witnessed people who couldn’t be more different to one another chatting as they’ve waited for their drinks, and connecting. It brings me joy.

“I have now have many regulars who return not just for a drink or something to eat, but to connect, and to just enjoy being in this beautiful part of a world, but with a cup of coffee in their hand.”

afuera is open 7.30am–2pm every weekday, except Wednesday, and from 9am–2pm on a Saturday.

Keep up to date by following @afuercoffee on Instagram.

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