Specialty Coffee Heroes: Building Community Through Coffee

Running Late has quickly become a star in East London’s specialty coffee scene. Nestled on a corner a stone's throw from London Fields, this café has built a loyal following of locals and beyond, thanks to its epic social media presence and welcoming vibe.

At Bustle, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with Tom and his team (big shoutout to Sean and Alex!) as they came onboard as one of our early UK operators. Their feedback helps fuel the Bustle mission to offer the ultimate POS and café management solution for specialty coffee shops around the world.

Blanche from our Bustle UK team recently caught up with Tom over a brew to talk about coffee, tardiness, and how Running Late has become a hub for its community.

Why the name Running Late?

"We wanted to signify it was on the move and we like the idea that, even if you're running late, you still have time to have a good coffee. We thought it was something people relate to."

"It's a fun name, and also it's literally the epitome of my life. I am always running late. In absolutely everything I do."

From Coffee Roaster to Café Owner

Before opening Running Late, Tom honed his skills with Ozone Coffee UK, working closely with operators. While confident in the coffee side, he’d seen firsthand how challenging it could be to make a café succeed.

“I wanted to create something customer-focused and fulfilling. For me, it was all about building a space centred around the community.”

Community at the Core

For Running Late, community isn’t just a buzzword—it’s everything.

"Community is at the heart of Running Late. We started a walk club and a run club. It’s just a really nice way to bring people together. We also chose to work with local independent bakers instead of big suppliers—it’s about relationships."

One example? Paola, a neighbour and customer-turned-partner.

“She started as a regular, and we’d chat about her food consulting work. One day, she shared her cornbread with us, and it was amazing. Now, she’s a key part of what we offer.”

The Famous Hatch

Running Late is known for its clever use of a serving hatch. According to Tom:

“The hatch is vital, customers order inside, and we pass the coffee out through the hatch. It keeps things seamless and efficient.”

‍Overcoming Challenges

‍The first few weeks brought some unexpected hurdles for Tom and his team:

"I don't know if any other operators can relate to this, but definitely for the first two or so weeks, I focused a lot on the money and what the numbers were each day."

"But it didn't change anything, so I took a step back and focused on just nailing each customer experience and interaction. Which was a challenge to wrap my head around for those first few weeks."

What’s your secret sauce for standing out?

"There’s so many places, in London especially, that do great coffee. Don't get me wrong, I think we do a very, very good job but I think you need to do something different."

"I think a coffee shop is like the new pub in so many ways. It's a community place for people to meet, and I really wanted that to be a part of what we do."

"It's nice having that relationship with people, it's nice to build a regular customer base and to have a place where people can come and have a chat. In the days of so many screens being present, it's even more important."

Bustle + Running Late

Running Late is redefining what a coffee shop can be—blending incredible coffee with creativity, community, and passion. Their commitment to fostering connections makes them a true specialty coffee standout.

If you’re a café owner looking to elevate your business, Bustle is here to help. ‍

More than just a POS, Bustle is a complete café management system designed to help you run your business more efficiently, streamline operations, and stay focused on profitability.

Join a growing community of specialty coffee operators worldwide who trust Bustle to power their cafés, enhance customer experience, and build thriving communities.

Let’s grow together—get in touch with our team today.‍‍‍