Brewing Independence: Howley Coffee Co and the Art of Mobile Hospitality
Featuring: Howley Coffee Co
From a vintage horsebox to Hythe’s favourite coffee stop, Hannah Howley is redefining what it means to be an independent entrepreneur on the move.
If you head toward the Hythe ferry pier on a misty New Forest morning, you might just catch the hum of a coffee machine emerging from a converted 1970s Sinclair horsebox and cheerful chatter of a queue of loyal customers. That’s Howley Coffee Co — a roaming, rustic coffee trailer and the passion project of founder Hannah Howley.
The menu is simple: great coffee, better cakes, and warm conversation. But the journey here has been anything but simple — and that’s exactly what makes Hannah’s story worth telling.
From Apprentice to Artisan
Born in Southampton and raised in Fareham, Hannah’s early career path was a hands-on mix of business admin and childcare apprenticeships. “I barely scraped through academically,” she laughs, “but I learned what I needed to know to run a business.”
Her passion for structure (and caffeine) collided during her time managing a busy café in Beaulieu. No previous hospitality experience? No problem. She jumped in head-first, managing staff, mastering the coffee machine, and falling hard for the pace and potential of café life.
“I just got to a point where I thought — I could do this myself.”
A Bold Leap: Howley on Wheels
Inspired by a chat with a fellow mobile trader during a camping trip in North Devon, Hannah decided to take the plunge. She left her job in August 2023 and bought a lovingly converted horsebox just one month later.
A government-backed Start Up Loan from the UK Business Bank provided the funding. From there, Howley Coffee Co was born — with a pitch secured at Ocean Village in Southampton, later moving to its current base by the Hythe ferry, with regular appearances at local markets and events.
More Than Just Coffee
From day one, Hannah’s mission was to offer “coffee that feels like a hug” — using local teas, rich hot chocolate from Wales, and artisan cakes sourced from around Hampshire.
The vibe? Rustic, warm, independent. Think real mugs (when possible), real conversations, and even pup-cups for visiting dogs.
And the customer response? Glowing. Reviews across TripAdvisor and Google describe it as the best coffee in town, with praise for the friendly, personal service just as often as the drinks themselves.
“We had two coffees because the first was that good.”
— TripAdvisor reviewer, 2025
From One Box to Two — What’s Next?
Just over a year in, Hannah is already growing. In June 2025, she took out another loan to buy a second horsebox, aiming to split operations between her permanent Hythe pitch and weekend events across Hampshire.
She now employs a local part-timer to help cover shifts, giving her the breathing room to plan, manage bookings, and build toward her latest goal — an alcohol license that will allow Howley to serve Irish coffees, boozy hot chocolates, and cocktails at weddings and events.
Resilience on Wheels
Running a mobile business hasn’t come without its challenges: frozen water pipes in winter, blown fuses, steep event fees, and the occasional panic when the power doesn't work because someone forgot to flick the mains switch.
Still, Hannah’s learned to adapt. “You take the emotions out of it in the moment — solve the problem — and cry about it later if you have to,” she jokes.
More Than Profit
So, is it profitable?
“Yes — if you don’t count the loans,” she laughs. “But I pay rent, I feed my cat, I drive my car. I’ve built a life out of something I created.”
To Hannah, success isn’t about big paydays. It’s about independence. It’s about being able to laugh with regulars and pour flat whites in the sun — or the snow. It’s about building a rhythm of life that works for her, not just her customers.
Final Sip
Howley Coffee Co is a small business with big heart — built not from a business plan, but from passion, persistence, and the willingness to try.
At SME Stories, we believe the entrepreneurial spirit isn’t always flashy or fast-tracked. Sometimes, it’s slow-roasted, locally sourced, and served with a smile from the back of a vintage horsebox.
So next time you’re near Hythe or the New Forest — skip the chains. Find Hannah. You won’t just get great coffee; you’ll get a little taste of what local business can really mean.