Some Coffee Shop openings are about growth. Others are about coming home.

For Coffi Lab, the launch of its Pontcanna site in Cardiff is both.

 

This is not just another location. It is the one that founder James Shapland always had in mind when he first built the brand. A Coffee Shop rooted in his own community. A space that reflects everything Coffi Lab stands for.

 

Born from a simple idea to create welcoming, dog-friendly Coffee shops that feel like a home from home, Coffi Lab has grown into one of Wales’ most recognisable independent coffee brands. 

 

Each “Lab” is designed to be relaxed, inclusive and slightly different. A place where muddy paws and wagging tails are just as welcome as laptops and flat whites.

 

That personality runs through every detail. From the layout and materials to the way customers move through the space. The Pontcanna store needed to capture all of this while delivering the performance required for a busy, high-volume coffee shop.

 

To make that happen, Coffi Lab partnered with WAM Engineering Services.

 

Kyle James, Manager at WAM, had worked with the team on many of their other stores. That existing relationship meant there was already a clear understanding of what makes Coffi Lab unique.

 

“Coffi Lab is not a standard coffee shop brand,” said Kyle. “Each store has its own character, but it still needs to work operationally. Pontcanna was especially important because of the personal connection. We knew we had to get it right.”

 

WAM was invited to tender for the project and was tasked with turning Coffi Lab’s established design concept into a fully functioning coffee shop and service environment.

While there is a template behind each Coffi Lab site, the Pontcanna building required careful adaptation. The team refined layouts, adjusted service points and ensured the equipment aligned perfectly with the power, water and drainage.

 

These decisions directly impact how quickly drinks are served, how smoothly staff can work and how well the wash-up area performs during peak periods.

 

One of the biggest challenges was the length and overall size of a dedicated dishwashing area in the original plans. Rather than compromise, WAM designed bespoke tabling to fit in a compact room which would also house a Hobart passthrough dishwasher. This created a clear separation between front and back of house while maintaining efficiency.

 

Fabrication presented another challenge. 

Due to a much smaller access, bespoke stainless steel elements had to be manufactured in sections, delivered to the site and assembled in place. This sectional approach ensured a precise fit without sacrificing durability or finish.

 

At the front of house, a bespoke drop-in counter refrigeration unit was cut and fitted on site. This detail supports Coffi Lab’s food display offering while maintaining the clean, considered aesthetic that customers expect from the brand.

The equipment package was carefully selected to support Coffi Lab’s day-to-day operations. It included Hoshizaki upright and undercounter fridges and freezers, a Hoshizaki undercounter ice machine, a Merrychef speed oven, Marco beverage systems and a customer-facing water dispenser.

 

An Aircell grab-and-go fridge was also installed, giving customers quick access to fresh food and drinks. This is a key part of the Coffi Lab experience, especially in busy neighbourhood locations like Pontcanna.

 

From the first meeting on 5 January through to installation and handover on 24 and 25 February, the project moved quickly. Close communication between WAM, Coffi Lab and contractors ensured that challenges were addressed early and progress remained steady.

 

“There were a lot of moving parts, but that is where a partnership approach makes the difference,” said Kyle. “We were in constant contact with the team, adapting as needed and keeping everything aligned. Seeing it all come together in Pontcanna was brilliant.”

 

For Coffi Lab, this site is more than just another opening. It is a reflection of their journey. From a single idea to a growing network of coffee shops that put community, quality and character first.

 

For WAM Engineering Services, it is another example of how the right planning, experience and collaboration can turn a strong concept into a high-performing reality.

 

For hospitality operators, it highlights a simple truth. A great coffee shop is not just about what customers see. It is about what happens behind the scenes.

 

And when that works seamlessly, everything else follows.

 

For more information on our design and installation services, contact:

▷ office@wam-engineering.co.uk

► 01792 712442