A new independent coffee shop has opened combining speciality coffee with art and music. After DJing across the globe Edd Holden felt inspired to set up Perco next to his barber’s shop on Cannon Street. Joining forces with artist Francesca Aikman, they have set about creating a relaxing space to pick up and enjoy coffee, fresh herb teas, juices, delicious bakes, art, and music, as we went to find out.

Edd launched Cannon House Barbers, on Cannon Street, just before the first lockdown in March 2020. He kept it afloat throughout the pandemic but it was always in his mind to open a coffee shop. Inspired by the businesses he had seen operating in Manchester and Dubai, such as Amongst Few which combines a restaurant, record shop, sneaker store, and in-house streetwear retailers, barbers, and a private recording studio, he set up a coffee shop next to Cannon House Barbers.

“During lockdown, I really got into making the perfect brew,” said Edd. “Experimenting and reading up on extraction times and different methods.

“At Perco we use Caffe Superiore VIII blend from Abaco, a roaster based in north Manchester. It’s a speciality coffee that tastes really smooth. No one is doing this flavour in Preston and everyone who tries it likes it. We make our iced lattes Freddo style, which is the Greek style of making an iced latte.”

Perco prides itself on selling speciality coffee at affordable prices, alongside a selection of cold drinks, herb teas made from fresh mint and ginger and freshly baked brownies, and delicious cupcakes delivered by Justine Bamber from The Little Damson Cakery.

“We’ve been rotating the flavours, recently we’ve been selling Toffee Crisp and Salted Caramel Twix brownies, Jammie Dodger and white chocolate, and Biscoff cupcakes. We update our social media channels as soon as new flavours come in.”

Since launching just over a month ago, Perco has had a lot of support locally with customers visiting for their morning coffees, on their lunch breaks, or stopping by when they’re in the city centre. Edd is pleased to see that word is spreading via social media and has started to spread through the artistic community.

Edd runs Perco alongside artist Francesca Aikman. Francesca worked as an artist in Amsterdam for nine years before returning to Preston last year and launching a pop-up exhibition showcasing contemporary art. Francesca works in the coffee shop, as well as sourcing artwork for display and for customers to buy. Currently on display is original artwork by Francesca, and customers can also buy her prints as well as prints by popular local graphic artist Secret Industries, with more artists coming on board soon.

“Fran knows the art scene in Preston,” said Edd. “We’ll be rotating the artists’ work on display every two months. We’d love local artists to come down, have a chat and bring their work for us to look at. There’s a need for a place like this with the Harris currently being closed for refurbishment.”

Perco’s minimal, contemporary interior is softened by green foliage, upcycled seating, and an uplifting mood ceiling with lighting colours that change for those all-important Insta moments. Also featured is artwork by Brian Cannon, the British graphic designer whose Microdot graphic design company created the record sleeve artwork for all of Oasis and The Verve’s releases in the ’90s. Alongside the artwork is a framed ticket from the Oasis/Verve gig at The Mill and a framed photo of Oasis’ Bonehead. Outside there is ample Bistrot seating on Cannon Street.

As well as working as a barber, Edd has spent over a decade DJing across the globe and working as a sound engineer, so it is important to him to incorporate music into his venture.

“I have friends working for record labels who send me exclusive tracks,” he said. “We’re going to be stocking a range of vinyl from house to disco to metal.

“We are also going to be introducing cold-pressed juices, we have the same supplier as Foundation Coffee House in Manchester. We’re also interested in rotating the cakes and brownies we stock. If you are a local baker and sell your products commercially, please get in contact.”

Plans are afoot for some exclusive events, with details to be released soon. Edd and Francesca enjoy listening to customers’ suggestions and feedback.

“We love chatting to customers, finding out what coffee and drinks they like. We’re a small independent, so we can adapt to our customers’ needs quickly.”

Perco is located at 16 Cannon Street in Preston City Centre. Opening hours are Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

Follow Perco on Facebook and Instagram.

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