Paper & Cup

Possibly the first thing you notice when you walk in to Paper & Cup in Shoreditch, are the huge bookcases on the left hand wall. These are all second hand hardbacks and paperbacks which you can buy for a few pounds. Apart from that there's some seating down the left and behind the main counter, and a couple of seats at the bar in the window. These are my preferred seats as I get to indulge in one of my favourite past times of people watching. Coffee beans are by Union Roast and as typical there's a good selection of pastries and cakes should you fancy a nibble.

Paper & Cup is actually a Social Enterprise which aims to provide work experience and training for those individuals that have been long term unemployed and also those recovering from an addition. In the evening Paper & Cup turns into a 'dry' pub allowing people to still come out and socialise of an evening, but in an environment that's both free from alcohol, but also from the pressure of having drink to whilst your are out.

You can read more about this on the Spitalfields Crypt Trustwebsite.