A coffee-lover is causing a ‘stir’ by bringing a taste of Spain to the North East – at the region’s new quirkiest coffee spot.
Jake Rusby has quit a career in PR to start up ‘afuera’, selling speciality coffee outside of Northumberland Park in North Shields from a pretty pink ‘pod’.
Customers have been flocking to the pod to try the menu, which includes a selection of Spanish coffees unavailable anywhere else on the coast.
These include a Café Bombon – an espresso on top of a layer of condensed milk – and a Spanish Latte, also made with condensed milk.
He also sells speciality teas, matcha, chai, hot chocolates, and artisan bakes.
Jake says afuera, which means ‘outdoors’ in Spanish, is a project of passion as he looks to build a community of people who love both coffee, and the great outdoors.
Jake, 41, said:
“This all about bringing together two of my greatest passions – coffee and being outside.
“We are fortunate enough to live in one of the most beautiful parts of Britain, with gorgeous green spaces, full of nature’s wonders, and an absolutely stunning coastline.
“For me, the only way to improve a walk around this amazing area is to do it with a coffee – and that’s why I set up afuera.
“Setting up a mobile coffee business has been a pipe dream for a long time, and now I get to do it for real. To see people enjoying where we live holding one of my pink coffee cups is the best feeling in the world.”
Jake first tried – and loved – a Café Bombon last year while cycling in Mallorca, and couldn’t believe he’d never had one in England.
That inspired him to give his coffee business a Spanish theme, albeit with a focus on supporting local suppliers.
These include North Shields-based ‘Baristocracy’, the coffee roasters who provide afuera with coffee beans, Whitley Bay-based Wor Matcha, and Sweet Patisserie, run by award-winning pastry chef Emma Carlton.
Since opening, Jake has even received the thumbs-up from several Spaniards, including those visiting the region whilst on holiday and several adopted Geordies who now call the North East their home.
Jake, who is also a published author after releasing ‘Newcastle United Match of my Life’ in 2023, added:
“There’s no better compliment than having people who have spent years drinking Spanish coffees coming back to afuera to get an authentic taste of their homeland, albeit with a North Shields twist.
“This town is the place to be at the moment, a haven for independent business and creatives and I want afuera to be a cornerstone of this incredible community, where I have been lucky enough to live for more than 12 years.
“afuera feels like a special place – I’ve already witnessed people who couldn’t be more different to one another chatting as they’ve waited for their drinks, and connecting. It bring me joy.
“I have now have many regulars who return not just for a drink or something to eat, but to connect, and to just enjoy being in this beautiful part of a world, but with a cup of coffee in their hand.”
afuera is open 7.30am – 2pm every weekday, except Wednesday, and from 9am – 2pm on a Saturday.
Follow @afuercoffee on Instagram to keep up to date with the business.
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