Derbyshire Business Networking (March)
Join us for a fantastic opportunity to network with fellow professionals!
We have another great panel discussion, where we guarantee you will come away with a glow knowing just that bit more. We have two quailty business leaders Craig Bunting and Michael Thornley, the Co-founders of Bear will be discussing "Beyond the Brew"
Here's a bit of thier story.
Back in 2014, Craig Bunting and his friend Michael Thorley were sat around a kitchen table in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, frustrated at how stale the high street felt. Coffee shops all looked and acted the same — safe, corporate, and uninspiring. Craig, who had a background in music and a big appetite for creativity, saw an opportunity to do things differently. Together, they sketched out an idea for a coffee house that would bring people together in a space that felt warm, independent, and a little bit adventurous. They called it BEAR.
The first shop opened in Uttoxeter in 2016, and what started as a gamble quickly struck a chord. Customers didn’t just come for the flat whites and brunch — they came for the atmosphere, the music, and the community. From that single café, BEAR has grown into a chain. Along the way, Craig and the team have stuck to their roots: serving great coffee, championing local produce, and keeping that spirit of adventure alive.
What makes BEAR’s story stand out isn’t just the growth — it’s the grit. The business has weathered hospitality’s toughest years, from the pandemic to rising costs, and still generated millions in revenue while employing over 130 people. Craig’s vision has always been about more than coffee; it’s about creating places where people feel part of something. And as BEAR sets its sights on opening even more locations in the coming years, it remains proof that with a bold idea, a bit of bravery, and a lot of hard work, you really can reinvent the high street.
