A PROFESSIONAL boxer and his business partner have opened a coffee shop.

Marcus Eaton and friend Andy Pollard are hoping to create a knockout blend at The Queensbury Coffee House, Hove.

It’s their first Sussex coffee house but they have another branch in Guildford.

Marcus, 32, and Andy, 30, of Shoreham, have opened The Queensbury in the Barker and Stonehouse store in Old Shoreham Road, Hove.

Marcus said: “When the opportunity came up for us to open a coffee house in Hove, we jumped at the chance.

“Andy and I have a real passion for coffee.

“It is big business nowadays with a great selection of coffee houses across the city.

“As coffee lovers, we are excited to be among good company here in Sussex and to make our mark on the industry.”

Marcus and Andy both grew up in Shoreham and have been developing the idea for a coffee house for a number of years.

Close friend Mark Woolley, of Electric Hair, introduced the pair to self-professed “coffee lunatic” and select supplier Andrew Henley, of Railtown Coffee Limited, and their dream soon became a reality.

Andy said: “Henley, as he’s affectionately known, has created an exclusive blend and roast for us, named Gold Goat coffee, which is only available at The Queensbury Coffee House.

“It is a delicious, creamy blend with notes of butterscotch and roasted almonds.

“Henley also told us about his friend, James Barker – owner of Barker and Stonehouse – who wanted to open a coffee house in his Guildford store, which is where our journey started.”

Barker and Stonehouse is the UK’s largest independent, family-run furniture retailer with 11 stores across the country.

The Queensbury menu has been designed around healthy eating, incorporating vegan options and various dairy-free milk alternatives.

Freshly made waffles come with toppings including Brighton-based Gelato Gusto ice-cream.

There is also an assortment of cakes and savoury produce from artisan bakery Coburn and Baker.

The coffee house has a distinctive look.

Marcus said: “We are fortunate to have Claire Hornby, creative stylist at Barker and Stonehouse, take care of the visual styling, which has helped us to create an individual look at our Hove cafe.

“With lots of quirky features, such as the evergreen ceiling, we wanted to make customers feel welcome and relaxed in a place they can enjoy a great cup of coffee – exactly as they like it – alongside some delicious, artisan produce.”

The Queensbury Coffee House is both child and dog friendly.

The coffee house offers free parking and free wi-fi for all customers and welcomes freelancers or local businesses to drop in for a working lunch, a coffee break or an informal meeting. The Queensbury Coffee House is also proud to be affiliated with The Abode Project, the charitable arm of Abode Records.

It helps people in Uganda with everything from major infrastructure needs – building housing and schools – to basic essentials such as clothing and supplies.

Andy said: “Marcus and I are both family men so the appeal of using our business to help children, families and communities in need was huge.

“We are so pleased to be able to support The Abode Project. We pledge to donate a percentage of every single coffee sold to this charity.”