Introducing the North Star Coffee Hub, a feel-good space where coffee enthusiasts can learn more about their favourite brew.
With 2025 marking 12 years since North Star landed on the Leeds coffee scene, it seems fitting to introduce their exciting new venture. Enter North Star Coffee Hub, an all-in-one destination where coffee lovers can flock for workshops, events and everything coffee-related.
Credit: North Star
You’ll find the hub on Leeds Dock, right next door to North Star Coffee Shop. The hub has a special importance to the business – it’s where they originally used to roast the coffee before they moved to their Armley roastery. Transforming the hub into a community space is the next step in North Star’s journey.
Step inside and you’ll find a bright and welcoming space. Flashes of colour adorn the walls, with cabinets styled as shipping containers. It’s fun, exciting and designed to reflect the vibrancy of the people and places that North Star’s coffee comes from. It’s a far cry from your stereotypical coffee shop.
Credit: North Star
The main focus of the hub is the coffee courses – intimate three-hour classes where you can come down and learn all about how to brew proper, barista-quality coffee. Each of the courses is led by John Smethurst – North Star’s resident coffee expert. He’ll talk you through everything you need to know – no question too small.
Courses come three ways. For starters, there’s the Beginners Brewing Course. It all kicks off with a cupping session – a tasting experience sure to sharpen your sensory skills. It’s all hands-on from there, as you learn a host of essential brewing techniques for beginners. You’ll even get a bag of coffee to take home with you – whichever course you choose.
Credit: North Star
The Brewing Masterclass Course takes things up a level. You’ll learn all about the advanced elements of brewing, digging into scientific stuff like water pH and dynamic extraction. You’ll work with top-tier equipment, really getting stuck into what brewing great coffee is all about.
And then there’s the North Star Barista Course. You’ll work with a stunning LaMarzocco espresso machine, learning how to create barista-grade drinks and even how to pour latte art. Classes are tailored to each group’s specific needs, so everyone from total beginners to real-life baristas can take part.
Credit: North Star
There’s plenty more to get involved with, with a host of community-focused events popping up in the space. From calligraphy lessons to book clubs, expect a feel-good lineup of hands-on sessions, serving up something for everyone. You can even hire out the venue for your own private events.
Things are set to get more exciting as time goes on, with talk of the potential to design your own coffee blend in the future. Every little detail resonates with North Star’s B Corp status and commitment to making the coffee trade better for everyone.
“The new coffee hub is the heart of North Star,” Lucas Jubb, Head of Brand, explained. “It’s a place for people with all levels of experience to learn about and enjoy specialty coffee. We are very excited to launch the hub and we invite everyone to come down and take part in upcoming events and workshops. If we can all come together as specialty coffee enthusiasts our power to have a positive impact on the industry grows massively.”
North Star Coffee Hub, Unit 33 The Boulevard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1PZ.
Cover image credit: North Star Coffee Hub
