Posted on

The Perks of Providing Good Coffee for Employees

Offering good coffee for employees in the workplace is more than just a thoughtful gesture—it’s a strategic move that benefits both employees and employers. Coffee is a staple in many workplaces, but providing quality coffee can significantly enhance productivity, morale, and company culture.

Firstly, good coffee can boost employee productivity. Caffeine enhances focus, energy levels, and cognitive function, which means employees are more alert and capable of tackling complex tasks. Access to quality coffee on-site also reduces the need for external coffee runs, saving time and keeping employees engaged throughout the day.

Second, it can foster employee satisfaction and well-being. Small perks like good coffee contribute to a positive work environment, signaling that the employer values their team’s comfort and needs. Employees who feel appreciated are more likely to be motivated, loyal, and committed to their work. This improved morale can lead to lower turnover rates and higher job satisfaction.

Additionally, coffee stations can serve as informal meeting points, encouraging collaboration and social interaction. Casual conversations over coffee can spark creativity, strengthen relationships, and lead to spontaneous problem-solving. These moments of connection contribute to a cohesive company culture and better teamwork.

Moreover, offering good coffee can enhance the company’s image. Clients and visitors notice workplace details, and a well-stocked coffee station leaves a positive impression, reflecting professionalism and care.

In conclusion, providing high-quality coffee is a simple yet effective investment. It boosts productivity, enhances employee satisfaction, fosters collaboration, and reinforces a positive company image. For employers looking to cultivate a thriving workplace, good coffee is a small perk with big returns.

Contact us for expert advice on selecting the best machine for your needs and workspace.

You can find more about Livewell Coffee solutions here.

Posted on

Livewell Vending Part Of New YPO Vending Framework Agreement

La Radiosa At_Fruit Picking Farm

We are excited to announce that, after a extensive tender process, Livewell Vending has been chosen to participate in a new vending framework agreement established by the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation.

This means that Livewell Vending’s products and services, can now be purchased through YPO alongside their other offerings.

The offerings provided by YPO are accessible to a wide range of customers, including local authorities, schools, charities, emergency services, the public sector, and businesses such as nurseries and care homes.

Posted on

Choosing the Right Coffee Machine for Your Office or Catering Business

Selecting the right coffee machine for your office, staff room, or catering business is a critical decision to meet the demands of volume, convenience, and coffee quality. With so many options available, here are some key factors to consider to ensure you make the best choice.

Power and Water Supply
Start by assessing practicalities such as the availability of power and a water supply. While all coffee machines require electricity, your choice between a refillable water tank or a plumbed-in system depends on convenience and volume of drinks you require. Refillable tank machines are portable and suitable for smaller spaces but require regular refills.

La Radiosa

In contrast, a plumbed-in system connects directly to a water supply, making it ideal for high-demand environments where frequent refilling would be impractical. A plumbed-in machine is a permanent fixture and therefore requires more planning.

Fresh Milk vs. Powdered Milk
Next, decide between fresh milk or powdered milk systems. Machines using fresh milk will produce superior-tasting coffee, enhancing the overall experience. However, they require more cleaning and maintenance to ensure hygiene. High-quality powdered milk, while not quite as rich, is a low-maintenance alternative that still delivers satisfying results.

Operation and User Friendliness
Ease of operation is another vital factor. Most modern machines offer simple, push-button functionality, perfect for busy environments where speed matters. However, if your business demands bespoke coffee preparation such as a commercial café with high footfall , a traditional-style machine requiring manual operation might be worth considering.

Maintaining & Cleaning Your Fresh Milk Coffee Machine
Proper maintenance and cleaning of your fresh milk coffee machine is essential to ensure optimal performance, hygiene, and coffee quality. Begin by rinsing the milk system daily to prevent residue build-up and bacterial growth. Most machines have an automatic cleaning cycle—use it regularly with the recommended cleaning solution, you can purchase these solutions from the Livewell Vending online store.

Gaggia Milk Cleaning Tablets

Disassemble and deep-clean milk frothers, wands, and other components weekly to remove stubborn residues. Always empty and clean the drip tray, waste container, and water tank. Use descaling solutions periodically to prevent limescale build-up, especially in hard water areas. Consistent care will extend your machine’s lifespan and keep your coffee tasting fresh.

Selecting the Right Coffee Bean for Your Coffee Machine

Choosing the right coffee bean is essential for enhancing the flavour of your coffee whilst ensuring the continual good optimal performance of your coffee machine. Start by considering the roast profile: light roasts highlight bright, acidic flavours, whilst medium and dark roasts deliver richer, bolder ones. Additionally, consider single-origin beans for unique, distinctive tastes or blends for balanced profiles.

Livewell Coffee Beans

Taste is a matter of preference and Livewell Coffee Vending have sourced and created their own branded bean blend in medium roast and decaffeinated versions with a flavour that appeals to a wide variety of people but also has an optimum bean size to keep your machine running efficiently. Ultimately, selecting quality beans tailored to your machine ensures every cup is a satisfying experience.

Summary
Be sure to consider all the factors mentioned above before making your choice to ensure you get the best value from your investment in the right coffee machine. At Livewell we have extensive experience with commercial coffee machines, along with case studies and examples that highlight what performs best in various environments and levels of footfall. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’re here to help. Additionally, you can explore more detailed information in the Coffee Machine section of our website.

Posted on

Office Case Study: Flutter Entertainment Leeds

Modern Office Space with refreshments and great coffee!

Flutter Entertainment which owns brands such Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Betting & Gaming opened their new Wellington Place office in Leeds in August 2021, The office comprises five floors of unique open plan desk space, with a recreational space on the top floor boasting an outdoor balcony and a gaming station. Into this recreational space Flutter added refreshment vending facilities as well as a premium self-serve automated coffee machines.

The Objectives

Flutter wanted to cultivate an office culture, and create a workspace, where people feel comfortable, entertained, content, and post pandemic, willing to return to the office whether on a full-time or hybrid basis. Part of this goal was providing the workforce with refreshments to enhance their experience when spending time in the office.

THE SOLUTION – CoffeE

In the breakout areas of each floor, Livewell installed a Gaggia La Radiosa bean to cup fresh milk coffee machine. This high quality, high-capacity machine serves a full menu of coffee shop style coffees and hot chocolate drinks, including cold frappé options. With a stylish LED lit appearance, and a colourful touch screen menu, the machines are easy to use. With dual grinders, the machine even has a decaf bean option, welcomed, and preferred by some staff.

Here is the staff experience of using the La Radiosa;

THE SOLUTION – Refreshment Vending

  • A range of self-serve vending machines were installed to provide snacks and cold drinks, available to staff 24/7.
  • The automated vending machines are stocked with a range of popular branded products, including a variety of healthier options. The Hydration and Snack Stations sit neatly in alcoves and provide quick and easy acres to refreshments with a contactless payment system, to suit the accelerated post-covid switch away from cash. The Hydration Station contains a variety of chilled drink options to satisfy anybody’s thirst, and all the bottles are made from recycled plastic and are fully recyclable. The Snack Stations provide a multitude of snack options to satisfy that midday craving.
  • Embedded within the office space, and with attractive branding, this modern vending provision is convenient, looks great, and is stylistically perfect for Flutter’s sleek office space.

THE OUTCome

Within these breakout spaces, Livewell Vending have provided a range of food and drink options to enrichen the work environment and refresh and sustain the lively, energetic workforce that populate the office. As well as keeping staff refreshed, the coffee and vending encourage face-to-face, social interactions that are beneficial to the wellbeing of individuals.  As a business, Flutter see it supplement the premium office space, with top-tier refreshment services that optimise performance and boost morale.

The Benefits

  • 24/7 refreshment provision for staff
  • Popular range of branded cold drinks and snacks
  • Barista quality coffee and hot chocolate drinks
  • Self-serve provision
  • Simple selection with touch screen interface.
  • Easy maintenance.
  • Encourages office working and social interaction.

Jon Henty, Senior Workspace Coordinator.

FLUTTER ENTERTAINMENT

“The coffee machines have proven to be very reliable, and the cleaning team have said they are also easy to clean and maintain. This quality of hot drinks provision is comparable to a coffee shop and this is well received by staff who see it as a benefit to working in the office, and the machines are used a lot. Coffee rounds create a good social interaction, and drinks are also taken into meetings, and it’s a vital part of staff routines, especially in the morning.”

Aaron Prout, Managing Director

LIVEWELL VENDING

“At Livewell, we carefully source the top end machines, and augment them with the latest technologies that enable us to work smarter and more efficiently. Satisfaction is our priority, so we always try to provide the highest quality and widest range of products possible, giving people popular brands to choose from, and healthier options to keep people happy. We even created our own Livewell Medium Roast Coffee so we know we can provide the best hot drinks possible.”

Are you looking for coffee and vending solutions to enhance your office environment? Complete our Solution Wizard or contact us to discuss your requirements further.

Posted on

La Radiosa: Barista Quality Coffee…. Wherever You Are!

La Radiosa At_Fruit Picking Farm

Delamere Farm located in Northwich Cheshire wanted a self-serve option for hot drinks.

They have a Pick Your Own fruit facility on the farm and in the autumn this becomes a Pick Your Own Pumpkin.Customers are outside for long periods, so often need a hot drink to warm themselves up. Apart from providing a service to their customers they were thinking that it could also be another revenue stream. They were not sure if it was possible as the PYO facility is in a field!

At Livewell Vending we like challenges and although we knew the ideal vending option for them, it was how to implement that option. We went through the benefits of the La Radiosa machine from Gaggia Milano which has the following features that would benefit Delamere Farm:

2 beans + 1 soluble layout (to offer chocolate drinks)

Self-service or barista configurable user interface, with optional contactless payment module

Hot and cold foamed milk

5-litre capacity glass front fridge and optional cup warmer

Energy saving set up with ‘A’ rated efficiency

Customisable screen interface to feature client logo, notices, videos etc.

Easy cleaning cycle

The next step was how to site & power the machine. They had a horsebox that had been used  as a counter and they were able to get a 240v supply to the horsebox. This also provided a dry facility to locate the machine as well as somewhere to store and keep it safe overnight.  The horsebox  being moveable can also be towed to a safe location.

The machine has now been installed, is running and providing hot drinks, coffee and hot chocolate for the kids and some adults too! Delamere Farm are really pleased with the machine and are amazed at how easy it was to add the extra revenue stream.

If you want to go and PYO pumpkin them you will find the details of Delamere Farm here

Check out the full details of the La Radiossa fresh milk coffee machine and get in touch if you have a questions about it.