The Coffee Camp

08/06/2026

It’s with extreme sadness I find myself sitting in an empty shop writing this message. We have had to close our doors today and probably for the last time. I just wanted to put something out initially to let people know and say a huge thank you to some very special people who did what they could to support us and our crowd funding campaign to save us from closure.
I have not drawn on any of the donations and 100% will be returned through the go fund me channels.

It has been the most incredible 8 years and we have met some beautiful people we are lucky enough to now call our friends. We’ve shared some amazing laughs and some sad times with our customers. I like to think we have been there for you as you have us.

To my amazing supportive,loyal, caring and dedicated staff. Tom, Fred, Daisy, Skye, Frankie, Sam and Phoebe. I’m so so sorry that I have had to put you in this position. I am utterly devastated I had to make that call to you all today. I will miss working with you all so much and can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for our customers, each other and with keeping the shop going. You are all truly amazing.

I know a lot of the community will be saddened by this and as I sit here I can see some of our regular customers, some clearly not knowing where to go or what to do as they try the door to find it locked. I’m sorry to you all.
When you start a venture like this you don’t really think about the possibility of closing and the effect it may have on so many and I wish I could have done better for you all.

Thank you

Nick

07/06/2026

DAILY UPDATE

Thank you so much as we pass an amazing £14k which is just incredible.

So much love and so much support from so many people.

The last few days have been incredible, we really are seeing so much support in so many ways, lots of offers of help from various trades that have offered their skills to help with some of the work that needs doing in the shop. This is a huge help and such a lovely gesture. I know that time is money and by doing that for us and its hugely appreciated.

I do feel I need to clear some matters up after a few comments made online.

Although we are in difficulties, the money we are trying to raise is not all debt. We are not doing this to line our own pockets or increase our salaries but for the reason outlined in our crowd funding campaign. We like so many small businesses are struggling with debt because of having to borrow to survive the pandemic. An opportunity then arose to open another shop in Shoreham by Sea and we hoped that the investment there would increase our chances of survival at Findon. We took a risk and it didn’t work in our favour which ended up costing thousands and putting us into further problems. We couldn’t get the assistance we asked for from the landlords and so had to shut Shoreham in February.

PLEASE NOTE: We will not be drawing on any of the funds so kindly donated to us through this campaign unless we can raise what we need to get out of difficulties and survive. 100% of the funds raised will go back to the donators should this be the case

Thank you again for your continued support

04/06/2026

DAILY UPDATE DAY 3

So another 20 plus donations online today taking our total on day 3 to £12,651 which is just incredible. THANK YOU!

Today in the shop was emotionally difficult and I found myself welling up on several occasions talking to the many people that came in just to show their support. I knew we had created something special in the community that brings people together but really didn't realise just how important we are to so many.

So today a very special customer who recently and un-expectedly lost her husband came in as she does every day and told me that when she would visit with her husband it was because we made great coffee and she liked the atmosphere we had created, but today she told me that now she is on her own she comes in because she needs us and that we can’t close down. Another customer told us about her young son who cried when told we may have to close the doors for good.

We really need as many people to share this campaign as possible to give us a gifting chance of survival.

Thank you again for such a lovely but emotional day and your many very generous donations.

03/06/2026

Daily update

A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us today with over 68 new donations totalling over 8k today alone and over 11k in total. We have had so many beautiful messages of love and encouragement and although i can’t respond to everyone as so many I do want to say how grateful and humbled i am at the amount of support shown. From new followers, shares and donations to people popping in to say how sad they are that we find ourselves in this situation. Even offers from a trades person to complete tasks in the shop and children offering their birthday money to help save us from closing. You re all amazing and I just can’t thank you enough.

02/06/2026

WOW! I’m genuinely lost for words at the support we have been shown today. Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to read our campaign, share and donate today. We have received so far on day 1, 95 donations totalling £3.799. It has been so lovely to read all your messages of support and well wishes this evening and I just can’t thank you enough.
We have a long way to go but what a great start to our campaign. The world is full of negativity at the moment but acts of kindness and generosity like this when so many are struggling in many different ways really makes you realise that actually in the most we live in a world full of amazing kind hearted people who really want to helps others and do good things.

I will post a daily update on our progress so keep your eyes peeled

Thank you

Nick and the team

01/06/2026

HELP KEEP THE COFFEE CAMP OPEN

Like so many small businesses We are struggling to keep our doors open with Covid debt dragging us down and continued rising costs of everything from utilities and staffing costs to food and drink ingredients, as a result we will have to close if we can’t raise the funds needed to continue.
Much of our equipment is failing and the shop is in desperate need of repair but because of the above we just can’t afford to make these much-needed changes.
We opened our doors in late 2018 and not a year later the Covid virus meant we had to borrow to stay open, this borrowing then became unaffordable at such an early stage in the business and so it became impossible to avoid further borrowing to survive.
It is with a very heavy heart that we find ourselves facing the prospect of imminent closure and as a last resort are running a crowd funding campaign to appeal for help and support from anyone that wants to be a part of making a difference to people’s lives and follow our journey and progress. We do so much more than just make coffee and with your help can continue.
We are a small independent community-based coffee shop situation in a Findon Valley on the edge of the South Downs in Sussex. We have been providing a service to our community for nearly 8 years. Welcoming people from all walks of life, from small children to the elderly and not forgetting the many dogs too. In this time The Coffee Camp has become a part of many people’s lives and their daily routine, a place they feel at home, a place they are always welcome and met by a friendly face and someone who they know will remember not only their name, drink but even whether they are left or right handed so the latte art is presented properly. The Coffee Camp has embedded itself into the community over the last 8 years and if you have visited us before will know that we are one big happy family. We have welcomed many new lives born into the Coffee Camp community and sadly also seen some pass away, we have been involved in Weddings, funerals and part of many birthday celebrations. We are registered as a “SAFE SPACE” by the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner which is an initiative to help women and girls in Sussex should they feel unsafe outside their home environment and have worked so hard to be a valued member of the community.
We have also been seen by some of the older community who have suffered with dementia as a place of safety, knowing they have a place they feel safe when they need it most or are confused but still know we are there for them.

Each staff member works so hard to provide not only cracking coffee but a personal service to everyone that I believe you just can’t be found anywhere else. They volunteered to complete first aid training in areas relative to our customer base which includes treatment for infants and the elderly and also regularly offer to stay late, work extra shifts when needed and can also be found in the shop on their days off, this I think is testament to the work and shop environment we have created.
We care about every single customer that walks through the door in the same way, whether they are spending money or just wanting to use the bathroom or grab a glass of water.
We have built a huge following in this time and if given the opportunity to start from a clean slate then we would be able to thrive, do more and continue the great work we do for our community.
We aim to raise 150k to make this happen, this would give us the opportunity clear our business debt, offer a much-needed fresh look to the shop including a new floor, counter tops, tables and chairs and replace or repair broken equipment plus invest properly in new ideas and services for our community.
We will display the names on the shop wall (should you consent) of every donor to this campaign and should we reach our target will be holding various donor exclusive events such as Coffee making master classes, Quiz nights, acoustic nights and more as a little thank you for your support. More details on these will be sent out as the campaign progresses.
We know there are so many other local small businesses in a similar position to us and any funds that are not required would be used to help someone else continue the work they do.
By Reaching as many people as possible will make this target more obtainable and just ask you to share this message and link to our GoFundMe with as many people as possible.

Thank you all so very much for taking the time to read this

Nick and the whole Coffee Camp team

Hi, my name is Nick and I need help to keep our coffee shop open. … Nick Bartlett needs your support for HELP KEEP OUR MUCH LOVED COMMUNITY COFFEE SHOP OPEN

02/05/2026

Don’t worry coffee lovers. We’re open 8am - 3pm this Bank holiday Monday

30/04/2026

Our incredible Chai is back in stock all you sticky chai lovers

29/04/2026

Huge thanks to Neil of in Aberdeen for leaving us with this Colombian co-ferment to try. This process is is something new to me and wow, the shop is full of peachy vibes just brewing it. Very different to anything I’ve tried before. We’ve got it on batch brew this morning so if you fancy something a little different in your coffee this morning just ask. Strong notes of tropical peach in this one

31/03/2026

We are open all through the easter weekend this year folks