A FORMER electrician has fulfilled his dream of opening his own artisan coffee shop in Blackheath.

Shane Coley has spent £50k transforming a former hairdressers on Halesowen Street into Artisan Espresso Bar.

The 25-year-old was inspired to make the move when he carried out work on converting the shop next door into Cyder & Cobb Micro Bar.

Shane, who lives in Oldbury, said: "I have had a passion for coffee since I was 16.

"I worked in coffee shops at Merry Hill and Dudley after leaving school but then became self-employed, running my own electrical and security installation company.

"After seven years I needed a change.

"I helped build Cyder & Cobb Micro Bar in Blackheath alongside the owner Mathew Smout who is a very good friend of mine.

"It was during this build that I realised I was going to go for it!

"I finally decided to take the plunge and open my own coffee bar.

"It's the best decision I ever made."

Shane, who attended Oldbury College of Sport, said when the unit next door to the micro bar came up for rent he took the plunge with him and his mum Wend Coley completely gutting the unit and carrying out all the work except plastering themselves.

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Pic: Shane and his mum Wend (centre) with Paige Quinn 

The transformation was a real family affair with Shane's grandad Mark Coley helping out when needed.

Work started in August and the coffee bar opened earlier this month.

Shane said: "The response has been overwhelming!

"We have had constant positive reviews, comments and feedback from every single customer."

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The shop has its own signature house blend of coffee which consists of Brazilian, Columbian & Tanzanian beans. It is hand roasted by a small independent coffee roaster in Kingswinford called Cole & Mac Roasters.

Shane said: "Our coffee machine is one of the highest quality available on the Italian market and is hand built in Italy, this is perfectly matched alongside our genuine hand pottered Italian cups with our logo kiln fired on."

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