Business Love Stories - Malt Cafe

In 2018, Malt, a small but perfectly formed cafe opened in what you may think of as the wrong side of town. A bit grey and rundown, there were a couple of pubs, a co-op, and Gala Bingo tipped out its clientele just down the street. All the good places to eat and drink were at the other end of town. Malt stuck out like a sore thumb.

Fast forward four years later and it’s an entirely different story. Look out of the window while scoffing the best full English you’re ever going to eat in your life, there’s a whisky bar, a posh gelato shop and an upmarket pizza joint, serving up to an enthusiastic crowd. It turns out Malt is a trailblazer.

The cafe is one of those less is more affairs; pale wooden tables, the pared down brown paper menu hanging on the wall, and the quiet hum of satisfied customers interrupted only by the hiss of the coffee machine, or a small dog having a strop due to a shortage of stray cake crumbs.

The man blessed with foresight is Simon who moved from Brighton to Worthing to start his own venture. He’s the kind of person who pushes all their enthusiasm and joy across to you through eye contact. You could tie his arms behind his back and still be in no doubt as to just how much he loves his business.

What made you set up on your own?

“I’d lived in Brighton for a long time but I could see the opportunity here, there were pockets of interesting things developing, and changes happening. I’d wanted to work for myself for years so took the plunge.”

Can you remember the moment you decided?

Taking on a lease is a leap of faith, there was research, business planning and more research. “It felt like a coffee shop and cafe was of the moment, and I was interested in exploring the brunch and lunchtime business. I thought I’d found the right formula then I saw these premises and felt the time was right so got stuck in.”

How would you describe your relationship with your business right now

Simon is standing at the counter, next to a couple of delicious looking cakes sitting under beautiful glass domes. I am fixated on the chocolate cake and not really hearing what he’s saying, so he’s definitely got something right. “Oh, I love it. To see happy customers, serve them great food, what’s not to love?”

When was it at its worst? What was happening for you then?

You could argue the pandemic hit Malt hard partly because it was neither brand new, nor truly established (in business terms) when it hit. “Coming into the pandemic I’d been open two years and felt the business was just finding it’s feet after that tenuous twenty-four months. January and February 2020 were very strong and then in March that happened. The rug was pulled out from under our feet.

I was in a state of denial and shock for a long time. For the first few weeks and months I kept myself busy catching up with paperwork and boring stuff you never have time for in a day-to-day hands on operation so that was brilliant.

Then the reality set in about how long it was going to last; what was going to happen, was there going to be social distancing? No one knew.”

What advice would you give to another owner who’s feeling disillusioned?

Simon can be a man of a few well thought out and clearly expressed words.

“We all have those days. Tomorrow is another day so dust yourself off and keep your focus. Do it again tomorrow,”

What keeps you connected to why you started your business in the first place?

“The person and business are inseparable, you live your business there’s no distinction.”

Would you say you love your business?

“I adore my business; my staff, my customers, the community around us. I get a sense of purpose, a sense of achievement.”

Who or what keeps you going in tough times?

“Some belief in myself, some belief in the business, and a bit of hope. At times, recently, we’ve not had much to go on other than a bit of hope.”

What do you love about working for yourself?

Every small business owner (including myself) I ever ask this question to comes straight back with this answer. “Being answerable only to yourself. Being free to make your own decisions. Make no bones it’s tough working for yourself you’re the last person to get paid but it’s a lifestyle choice and you feel like you’re creating something.”

The American novelist and playwright, Thornton Wilder said “The more decisions that you are forced to make alone, the more you are aware of your freedom to choose.” And from freedom and choice comes the creativity to shape and form your business, and Malt is perfectly formed.