Britain’s Smallest Coffee Shop Inside a Phone Booth

In Birmingham, a city known for its historic architecture and red phone booths, one former medical worker has turned a decommissioned public telephone box into a fully functioning coffee stand. This isn’t a pop-up or an art installation — it’s a real, working espresso bar serving coffee to passersby every Monday. But there’s a catch: it’s roughly the size of a broom closet.

Jake’s Coffee Box, located inside a bright red British telephone booth, is likely the smallest coffee shop in Europe. With no indoor seating and just enough room for the barista and an espresso machine, it’s a creative reuse of urban infrastructure — and proof that you don’t need square footage to serve great coffee.

What Is Jake’s Coffee Box?

Jake’s Coffee Box is a minimalist espresso bar set up inside a classic British red telephone booth, located in Birmingham’s financial district. The shop is the brainchild of Jake Hollier, a former hospital worker who decided to try his hand at coffee entrepreneurship. Open only on Mondays, the tiny kiosk serves freshly brewed coffee and pastries, all to go. Despite its size, it’s become a local favourite for a strong cup of coffee on the go.

Why Turn a Phone Booth Into a Coffee Shop?

The project is part of a broader initiative in the UK to repurpose old telephone booths. Once iconic fixtures of British streets, many have fallen into disuse as mobile phones became ubiquitous. A charitable organisation acquired the disused booth in Birmingham and gave it a new life as a coffee stand. Jake saw an opportunity to create a low-cost, high-impact business with minimal overhead. The phone booth offers built-in visibility, charm, and a compact footprint — perfect for a one-person espresso operation.

How Small Is It Really?

Jake’s Coffee Box is likely the smallest operational coffee shop in Europe. There’s no room for customers to sit, no storage space beyond what’s immediately at hand, and no running water inside the booth itself. The entire setup is designed for speed and efficiency: make the coffee, serve it, and move on. The lack of seating means it operates purely as a takeaway shop. Despite the constraints, Jake manages to serve espresso-based drinks and even baked goods, all within the confines of a space not much larger than a phone booth originally was designed to hold.

What’s On Offer?

The menu is simple but effective. Each coffee costs around £2.50 (approximately HK$30), making it an affordable option for a quick caffeine fix. While the exact drinks aren’t detailed in the report, it’s safe to assume a range of espresso drinks are available given the setup. Pastries are also available, adding a bit of extra value to the takeaway experience. The focus is on convenience, speed, and quality — all delivered from a space no bigger than a phone booth.

How Did the First Day Go?

On its opening day, Jake’s Coffee Box was an instant hit. According to Jake, the demand was so high that he couldn’t keep up with orders. That kind of response isn’t surprising given the novelty of the concept and the prime location in Birmingham’s financial district. Operating just one day a week minimises labour and maximises impact — a smart move for a solo entrepreneur working out of a phone booth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Jake’s Coffee Box located?

Jake’s Coffee Box is located inside a red telephone booth in Birmingham’s financial district. It’s a small standalone kiosk, not attached to a larger café or building.

What kind of coffee does Jake’s Coffee Box serve?

While the exact menu isn’t specified, the shop serves espresso-based drinks, likely including classics like espresso and cappuccino. Each coffee is priced around £2.50.

Does Jake’s Coffee Box have seating?

No, Jake’s Coffee Box does not have any seating. It’s a takeaway-only coffee shop operating out of a telephone booth, with no space for customers to sit.

When is Jake’s Coffee Box open?

The coffee shop is open just one day a week — every Monday. This limited schedule helps manage operations in such a small space.

How did the phone booth get turned into a coffee shop?

A charitable organisation acquired the decommissioned telephone booth and allowed it to be repurposed. Jake Hollier, the owner, transformed it into a functioning espresso bar as a creative reuse of urban infrastructure.

How much does coffee cost at Jake’s Coffee Box?

Each coffee at Jake’s Coffee Box costs around £2.50, which is approximately HK$30. The pricing is designed to be accessible while keeping operations lean.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Takeaway Espresso

For a phone-booth-sized espresso bar like Jake’s Coffee Box, compact, high-impact beans work best. Try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe — bright, floral, and juicy, it shines as a single-origin espresso. For something richer, their Brazil Queen Manor offers a nutty, chocolatey base perfect for milk drinks. Both beans are roasted to highlight clarity and balance, ideal for tight spaces where every shot counts. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.