Entrepreneur launches coffee shop from Haymarket station phone box

Daniel Campbell, owner of Red Box Coffee at Haymarket Station. Picture; Lenny Warren

Daniel Campbell has launched his distinctive-looking new cafe pod in Haymarket station – and the till has never stopped ringing.

The 29-year-old bought a real telephone box and had originally hoped to have it fitted with a coffee machine.

But when this proved impractical because of its size and weight, he recruited the help of a shopfitter to have one purpose-built as a food and drink outlet.

Daniel, who has always been passionate about the hospitality industry, said he was looking to set up something “new and innovative”.

He launched the coffee company itself last year but only opened the pod in the station last Tuesday.

“My passion is coffee and I always go to coffee shops to sample what they are doing,” he said.

“I saw a real opportunity to offer something exciting and original and I am as passionate about quality tea, coffee and local artisan produce of the highest standard.

“I want to share this with the public at a competitive price in a fun, unique setting.

“I already have a great customer base coming back to us for fresh coffee, with more than 2000 sales already.”

Red Box Coffee sells “artisan produce” including fresh sandwiches and drinks from small local producers as well as premium coffee flown in from Kenya.

A former Scottish Food and Drink Champion for Taste for Tourism, Daniel also produces luxury tea from his own home in the Capital.

He has also revealed plans to introduce some leaf flavours including heather and vanilla, cranachan and lavender, and whisky and cocoa nibs.

The business also uses “compostable cups” which take just two weeks to fully decompose.

“We believe all coffee companies should have biodegradable cups like this to help reduce global warming,” he said.

Red Box Coffee is now open seven days a week from around 6am until 7pm and employs two baristas on the Living Wage.

The launch of the business comes a month after the News revealed that iconic red phone boxes across the city look set to be transformed into micro offices for workers on the go.

The hireable booths will boast a wi-fi network alongside essential gadgetry including a printer, scanner and wireless mouse.

They will also be fitted with a 25-inch screen, a hot drinks machine and power outlets.

The idea has been dreamed up by New York company Bar Works as a more private option to cafes or offices.

Bar Works has described the pod as an alternative to sitting in cafes to work where it can be busy, loud and costly to buy a coffee.

Back in 2015, a red telephone kiosk on the Royal Mile was turned into a cash machine.