Independent cafés across the UK are cutting their opening hours as rising costs squeeze their businesses, and one Jesmond café is among those operating on a five-day week.

Awesome Frank’s, located at West Jesmond Metro station, remains closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, with owner Alex Walker using those days to complete administrative tasks and prepare for the rest of the week.

The café is one of several independent establishments in Jesmond, where businesses compete for customers with national chains including Starbucks and Caffè Nero.

Across Britain, nearly half of independent food-and-drink businesses surveyed by Zempler Bank had reduced the number of days they opened in response to rising costs.

The research, published in 2026, found that 48% of operators had reduced opening days, while 55% had cut staff hours and 75% had increased their prices.

For Awesome Frank’s, one of the challenges of running an independent café is balancing the costs of ingredients with its commitment to supporting local suppliers.

Walker told JesmondLocal that the business prioritises “supporting the ecosystem of suppliers”, purchasing locally sourced ingredients from businesses including Charlotte’s Butchery in Gosforth.

But this approach “isn’t cheap”, she added.

Despite the expense, Walker believes “quality ingredients are important”, and wants to maintain the café’s commitment to local sourcing.

The financial pressures facing independent cafés extend beyond the cost of ingredients.

A survey published by UKHospitality in October found that 74% of hospitality businesses surveyed had experienced rising electricity bills in the previous three months.

Food and drink inflation was the biggest non-tax concern for 88% of respondents, while 80% said the current business environment was preventing them from investing in their businesses.

The pressure is particularly significant for smaller businesses competing with national chains, which can benefit from economies of scale when purchasing supplies.

Research from World Coffee Portal found that independent coffee shops were more vulnerable to rising prices than larger competitors, although the UK independent coffee shop market continued to grow during 2025 and early 2026.

For cafés in Jesmond, another consideration is attracting students, many of whom are looking for affordable food and drink.

Starbucks, for example, advertises a student discount through UNiDAYS, offering selected hot drinks for £2 on Tuesdays at participating branches.

One student living in Jesmond told JesmondLocal that the offer was the only reason they went out for coffee on Tuesdays, highlighting the appeal of discounted drinks to customers watching their spending.

For independent cafés, matching such offers while maintaining their existing approach to sourcing ingredients presents a challenge. The government’s Low Pay Commission has documented how some hospitality businesses have responded to higher operating costs by closing on quieter Mondays and Tuesdays.