Our Story

In the beginning...

The Ferodo family has a rich history in preparing and serving coffee since the first coffee shops open in Venice, Italy in the 16th century.

After the Second World War, Italy's economy was depressed, and despite Italian's love affair with coffee it become challenging for the Ferodo family to survive.

The head of the family, Lorenzo Ferodo (see photo), had seen other areas of Europe prosper in the 1960's, in particular London. And so Lorenzo sold their coffee shop in Venice and headed for a country that could improve their financial standing

Being football crazy, the family were attracted to Manchester as there was an opportunity to join a thriving Italian community and see the country's greatest football team, Manchester United

Lorenzo wanted to test the locals love of coffee so he opted to be mobile, cycling a cart into the city each morning to sell coffee, testing the areas.

As this was before takeaway cups, clients stood and socialised whilst sipping their morning espressos. The group at the cart became known to passers-by and onlookers as "the coffee collective", and so the name was born.

The Coffee Collective founder, Lorenzo Ferodo as an elderly gentleman

And now...

It took Lorenzo many years to decide where to set up shop as each area of the city offered a slightly different clientele and he enjoyed to differing conversations.

However in the end the family settled on a spot near to Piccadilly train station that attracted customers day and night, whilst also catching many passing Italians.

During the last 40 years, Lorenzo's son Luca learnt the art of roasting, blending and preparing coffee and as his father aged Luca became the face everyone in Manchester knows for great coffee (and football chat!).

As the businesses around them started to modernise, so did Luca, continually keeping on trend and using his Italian style to attract new generations.

The shop has become so popular that now many local coffee roasters provide bags of coffee for sale as some clients like to enjoy fresh coffee in work or at home.

However as the Covid pandemic reduced the footfall into the shop, Luca had to adapt again and ensure their clients could still access TCC coffee whilst being locked down - and this eCommerce site is the result!

Why not Sign Up and become one of The Coffee Collective. In return we will look after you like one of our own, how old man Lorenzo taught us so well.

View of the coffee shop inside with contemporary black and white decor