Coffee Shop Equipment List UK: What You Need and What It Costs
Quick answer
A typical UK coffee shop needs around 20–25 categories of equipment: a two-group espresso machine (£6,000–£20,000), two grinders (£1,500–£4,000 each), water treatment (£500–£1,500), refrigeration, dishwasher, ice machine, POS, back-of-house, and small wares. Full equipment budgets for an independent café usually land between £25,000 and £60,000.
Key takeaways
- •Espresso machine + grinders + water treatment usually total £10,000–£30,000.
- •Refrigeration and food storage add £5,000–£15,000 depending on menu.
- •Water treatment is the most under-specified item — it protects every espresso machine warranty.
- •Second-hand equipment is viable, but not for the espresso machine or grinders.
- •Match equipment throughput to forecast covers, not aspirational peaks.
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Front-of-house coffee equipment
A two-group commercial espresso machine (£6,000–£20,000) is standard for most independent UK cafés. Two grinders — one for espresso and one for decaf or a second single-origin — cost £1,500–£4,000 each. A water treatment system is non-negotiable: without it, most espresso machine warranties are void and scale will destroy the boiler within 18 months.
Refrigeration and food display
Undercounter fridges (£600–£1,500 each), a display fridge for grab-and-go (£1,200–£3,500), and a walk-in or upright freezer (£1,000–£3,000). If serving food, a hot food display or panini press adds another £500–£2,000. A blast chiller is optional but pays back fast if you produce food in-house.
Kitchen and back-of-house
A commercial dishwasher (£1,500–£4,000), an ice machine (£1,200–£3,000), a small prep counter with sink (£800–£2,000), and stainless-steel shelving (£300–£800). If cooking, add a small combi oven or panini grill and appropriate extraction — extraction alone can be £3,000–£10,000 including ductwork.
POS, till, and payment
A modern POS system (Square, Lightspeed, Toast, EPOS Now) typically costs £30–£100/month per till plus a card reader (£50–£300 each). Kitchen display screens add £200–£500 per screen. Budget £1,500–£4,000 in year one for a two-till setup.
Small wares and consumables
Cups, saucers, glassware, milk pitchers, tampers, knock boxes, cleaning tools, aprons, and takeaway packaging typically add £2,000–£5,000. This line is almost always underestimated and is the single most common source of last-week-before-opening panic spend.
What this article doesn't cover
- —Exact make/model recommendations — those depend on throughput, water hardness, and service network in your area.
- —Roastery equipment — sample roasters, production drums, and afterburners are a separate spec.
- —Warranty and service-contract negotiation — done with the supplier at PO stage.
- —Water-treatment engineering for hard-water sites — specialist plumbing scope, not covered here.
- —Second-hand equipment sourcing risks — inspection and refurb quality vary hugely; a technician site-visit is essential.
These are deliberate boundaries. Anything above needs advice specific to your site, capital, and risk tolerance — book a call or a feasibility study.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a used espresso machine to save money?
It's tempting but rarely worth it. Used commercial espresso machines often need £1,500–£3,000 in refurbishment before they hold pressure reliably, and warranty coverage from the original manufacturer is usually voided.
What's the best espresso machine for a UK café?
The best machine is the one matched to your forecast drinks-per-hour and menu. La Marzocco Linea PB, Sanremo Cafe Racer, and Slayer Espresso are common at the £12,000–£20,000 tier; Rocket, Rancilio, and Nuova Simonelli sit at the £6,000–£10,000 tier.
How much does water treatment cost?
A commercial water treatment system with softener and carbon filter typically costs £500–£1,500 installed, with cartridge changes every 6–12 months costing £100–£250.
What equipment can I lease instead of buying?
Espresso machines, dishwashers, and ice machines are commonly leased. Leasing preserves working capital but costs 20–40% more over three years than outright purchase.
Is renting the espresso machine cheaper than buying it?
On cash-out in year one, yes. A £12,000 machine bought outright is £12,000 before install and filtration; the same class of machine on a rental contract is typically £120–£300 a month with install, servicing and filter changes included. Over five years outright ownership is usually cheaper in total, so the decision is really about whether you need the capital elsewhere in the opening budget. Compare the two on our coffee machine rental page and the rent-to-own page.