Mike Williams started Eclectic Coffee Roasters on Prospect Business Park in Leadgate after 30 years of working in International Trade and Development. 

Mike has worked around the world, drinking coffee, good, bad and indifferent, in many countries, including those where coffee is grown. He had the idea of creating his own coffee roasting company but then Covid intervened and the plans were shelved. However, in January 2021 he decided to start properly and attended courses on coffee roasting, brewing, grinding and barista skills. 

In June 2022 Mike took ownership of his electric roaster and fully launched Eclectic Coffee in January 2023.

Story and photographs by Chris Bruce, Consett in Focus