THE Northern Quarter is not short of fine coffee shops – witness Bonbon, Fig & Sparrow, North Tea Power and TOM’s personal favourite, Takk, purveyors of Icelandic caffeine cool. Icelandic Coffee House Takk. Now they are joined by a maverick newcomer just along Edge Street from further cuppa contenders, Home Sweet Home and the back of Teacup.
A big welcome to Ziferblat, the coffeehouse/workspace that fascinatingly charges you not for the beverages you consume but 5p a minute for the time you spend there with coffee, cakes, cereals, biscuits and 100MB wi-fi all free for the duration of your stay.
The name is the giveaway that the concept was not forged around these parts. The concept began in Moscow in 2011 and has spread across Europe. 'Ziferblat' translated means 'clock face' but it’s not all about clockwatching but enjoying your time there.
It seemed to suit the hipsters of Shoreditch where it first opened in the UK a year ago, and expect it to roll out across the nation’s university towns.
The Manchester version is a homely hangout. There's a trad living room that sticks to autumnal colours and upholstered furniture with a chess board and potted plants. Alongside there's the modern workspace with Ikea-type design, fluffy throws and feature wall.
On arrival you are handed a vintage clock to measure the length of your stay. Help yourself to Ancoats Coffee Co’s finest and accompaniments (plates are in the bottom cupboard) and chill.
Head of operations Gareth Harold insists Ziferblat transcends mere cafe. “It’s an office space to all intents and purposes and the people who come to us are almost like micro-tenants. We’re not home, we’re not work, we’re a third space somewhere in between.”
“If you go to a popular chain it might cost you around £5 for a coffee and a brownie. Here at Ziferblat you can have all the coffee and brownies you like in an hour and 40 minutes for the same price.”
Ziferblat, 23 Edge Street (next door to Common), Manchester M4 1HW. @ZiferblatEdgeSt