26/07/2026
After 11 incredible years, it’s with a very heavy heart that the time has come for me to pass Espresso Head into new hands.
This hasn’t been an easy decision. Over the last decade, Espresso Head has become so much more than a coffee shop. It’s been a place where friendships have been made, conversations have been shared, children have been born and grown up before our eyes, and a real community has formed. Together we’ve weathered uncertain times, including Covid, and through it all this little shop has remained part of the fabric of Leighton Buzzard.
When I first took on Espresso Head, I could never have imagined the journey it would take me on or the people I would meet along the way. It has shaped so much of my life, and I will always be incredibly grateful for that.
As many of you know, life has changed a lot over the last few years. Having relocated to the New Forest, with two young boys, my wonderful partner, and other businesses that now need more of my time, I’ve reached the point where I simply can’t give Espresso Head the time and attention it deserves. Rather than letting that happen, it felt right to find someone who can take it forward, build on everything that’s been created, and love it as much as I have.
I’m genuinely delighted to introduce Alice from as the new owner. Many of you will already know her as a familiar face around town. Alice shares the same passion for quality, community and independent businesses, and her plan is to preserve everything that makes Espresso Head special while gently adding her own touch, including her beautiful homemade sourdough, pastries and bakes. I know she’ll write a wonderful new chapter for Espresso Head, and I hope you’ll welcome her as warmly as you welcomed me all those years ago.
Our final day will be Saturday 1st August. The shop will then close briefly while Alice settles in and gives it a little refresh before reopening in September under her ownership.
If Espresso Head has ever been part of your routine or your story, I’d love to see you one last time. I’ll be in the shop on Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August, so please do pop in for a coffee, a chat, or simply to share a memory.
Finally, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Thank you to every customer who chose to spend part of their day with us. Thank you to the regulars who became friends, to those who travelled across the country just for a coffee, to everyone who recommended us, supported us through the difficult times, and helped make Espresso Head what it is today. And thank you to every one of our incredible baristas over the years, whose hard work, care and personality helped shape the shop into something we could all be proud of.
And whilst I’ve not been in the shop daily for the last few years I’ve still spent every day keeping on top of managing it and making sure it ticked along, with the same same love and passion and with the help of our barista Vicki behind bar serving up our much loved coffee day to day.
Leaving Espresso Head is genuinely one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. I’ll miss the conversations across the bar, the familiar faces every morning, and being part of this wonderful community. But I leave knowing the shop has a bright future ahead, and that brings me a huge amount of comfort.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives for the last 11 years. It’s been an absolute privilege.
With heartfelt thanks,
Matt
