It’s Afternoon Tea Week! How did this famous British tradition originate?

Monday 10^th through to Sunday 16^th August is Afternoon Tea Week. These seven days celebrate a famous British tradition that travels back centuries! Whether you go out to enjoy afternoon tea or savour in it at home, it’s a great way to wind down and relax either alone or in a group. But how did afternoon tea originate and why is it so special to us Brits? Coinadrink Limited takes a look.

When did afternoon tea originate?

Tea first appeared in Great Britain back in the mid 1600’s, but the concept of afternoon tea arrived later in the 19^th century.

It was actually 1840 that its history can be traced back to, if the story is to be believed. Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, would become hungry at around 4pm. The evening meal in her household was served rather late at around 8pm, so she asked that a tray of tea, bread and butter was brought up to her room during the late afternoon.

It was at this moment that afternoon tea first originated.

What does it entail?

And from that moment, the tradition really took off. It soon became a social affair for the upper class in particular, where women would change into long gowns and wear fancy hats and gloves.

Historically, it has always consisted of a dainty selection of sandwiches, scones, cakes and of course a pot of tea. You can still find places that stand by these traditions today, and it is a great opportunity to catch up with friends and family.

As time moves on and the world gets busier, though, the tradition has turned into somewhat of a rushed affair. A mug of tea and a biscuit may suffice now, but for true enthusiasts this will never quite cut it!

There are certain locations around the country that are believed to “do it best.” Devon, for example, is supposedly home to the some of the best scones and cream tea around, whilst places in North Wales have also forged a solid reputation.

What is the best afternoon tea you have ever had, and where was it?

Coinadrink Ltd

10-11, Maple Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich Ln, Walsall WS2 8TF
01922 640777

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Grab a cold beverage from your Micro Market!

With the hot weather finally here and the importance of hydration now more important than ever, why not find out what cold drinks your local Micro Market provides? Read on to take a look at the broad span of refreshingly cold beverages that are available…

What cold drinks are available?

The endless choice of cold beverages within your Micro Market allows you to browse a wide selection before making your decision. For staff wellbeing, it is essential that employees stay hydrated throughout the day and take regular breaks, which is why the Micro Market is here to help.

Whether you fancy something still or sparkling, your Micro Market has it all. What better way to rejuvenate your workforce on a hot day?

The importance of hydration.

Our Micro Markets are a great solution for any workplace as we tailor them to suit your requirements. And with them being cashless and unmanned, it provides a safe and secure checkout experience. This is exactly why our cold drinks slot seamlessly into Micro Market systems.

Ensuring that your workforce is fully supplied with fresh cold drinks, enhances everyday performances, therefore maximising business operations. A small price to pay for a large reward! Also, did you know that around 25-50% of your performance is lowered if you are dehydrated at work? This emphasises the importance of wellbeing.

What are you waiting for? Have a look at the drinks varieties we offer to see if you can get your hands on some. Please don’t hesitate to contact us online or email alistair@coinadrink.co.uk.

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Yes, we supply water coolers! And now is a great time to take advantage with our special offer…

Coinadrink is an advanced vending supplier with over 58 years’ experience. We provide freestanding hot drinks machines, tabletop coffee machines, snack vending machines and fresh food machines. But what sometimes dips under the radar is the fact we also supply a variety of water coolers, including both plumbed-in and bottled dispensers. 

Now we’re well into the summer reason, a water cooler is a fantastic source to keep your team hydrated throughout the day. Stylish, hygienic and enriched with quality, Coinadrink can tailor all of our water dispensers to suit your unique requirements. And with a special welcome offer to get you started, now is a great time to take advantage of our services…

Why choose a water cooler?

A water cooler is the modern way to keep your team hydrated in the workplace. Sure, you may think you’re doing just fine using the kitchen tap, but it simply can’t deliver the same quality a water cooler can.

Most traditional tap systems don’t filter out impurities. At best this means your water won’t taste very nice, but at worst it could mean your water is unsafe to consume over long periods. Modern day water coolers deliver crystal clear filtered water without any “nasties”, thanks to advanced filtration systems. What’s more, they do so in a stylish and energy efficient manner!

This is something more and more people are demanding. In fact, Facilities Managers say 64% of millennials, who now make up a large proportion of the modern workforce, require easily accessible filtered water in the workplace. It is important to cater to demand.

And during a time where hygiene is at the forefront of our minds, you can now enjoy “contactless” water coolers equipped with self-sanitising technology. This takes healthy hydration to a level never seen before.

Quality water coolers perfect for your working environment.

Coinadrink began supplying water coolers in 1991. Like the rest of our services, we pledged to do things differently to the competition and put a clear emphasis on quality, customer service and hygiene.

We take the time to understand your requirements before tailoring our range to suit. We provide everything from practical and cost-effective bottled water coolers through to innovative plumbed-in water coolers that help turn any location into a destination.

Once you have your water cooler installed, you will benefit from industry leading after service that includes a unique sanitisation process. This leaves nothing to chance and ensures your water is always clean and safe to enjoy.

And remember, whilst a water cooler remains a safe way to deliver beautifully filtered drinking water, you can now take peace of mind further with “contactless” water coolers. Check out the AA First 3300x!

The dark depths of dehydration at work.

A water cooler is a great focal point for healthy hydration and can actually encourage staff to drink enough throughout the day. This is important when you learn the direct impact hydration can have on productivity.

A third of workers in a recent study said they understood the damage, but do they? In a shocking statistic, it has been suggested that just a 1% drop in hydration can result in a 12% drop in productivity. That means a 5% drop in hydration would equate to a productivity level that has dropped more than half!

It’s a scary thought, but one that’s realistic when you consider the stresses and strains of the modern working day. Amidst the paperwork, the emails and the meetings, it’s easy to push hydration to the back of your mind.

A water cooler is a stylish way to remind employees of its importance. In many ways, then, a water cooler in the workplace could actually be considered a necessity.

Enjoy this welcome offer to get you started!

And a water cooler is more accessible than you think. Whatever your preference and budget, Coinadrink’s customer-centric approach means we can help and our transparent contracts deliver complete reassurance.

For a limited time, you can also enjoy an enticing offer to get your workplace going in the world of healthy hydration. For those looking for a plumbed-in water cooler, enjoy 1000 plastic cups to get you started. After a bottled water cooler? Take three free water bottles instead. Both of these offers are subject to signing a 36-month contract.

So, what are you waiting for? Contact Coinadrink about our water coolers today!

Coinadrink Ltd

10-11, Maple Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich Ln, Walsall WS2 8TF
01922 640777

The post Yes, we supply water coolers! And now is a great time to take advantage with our special offer… appeared first on Coinadrink.

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A day in the life of our service desk controller at Coinadrink Limited.

Have you ever wondered how Coinadrink keeps on top of our customer, operator, and engineer calls, whilst simultaneously providing the best service around? If so, keep reading! We pride ourselves on our rapid response times, so needless to say that our service desk controller is so important to us. Here you can take a look at what her day consists of…

What happens on our service desk?

A typical day when managing the service desk at Coinadrink Ltd, consists of efficiently completing planned tasks that require time and detail, to then create the reliable service we have today. These tasks include; undertaking customer service calls, assigning calls to our highly skilled engineers and also identifying issues and solutions within a specific time frame to get machines back up and running. Sounds like a lot for a days work. And it’s all for the benefit of our customers.

As well as this, our service desk is responsible for scheduling our preventative maintenance measures, such as planned water filter changes and planned services of machines. This ensures that your machine provides premium hot drinks for longer.

The service desk controller talks to customers and our staff ensure that communication lines are clear whenever site visits are made. This guarantees that everybody is on the same page and then allows the problem to be fixed as quickly as possible.

To add to this, the service desk makes sure our vehicles and insurance policies are reviewed regularly, MOT and services on vehicles are scheduled and fuel usage and costs are monitored as well. This requires patience, skill, and a lot of coffee! Luckily Coinadrink has that covered too. These daily tasks are what makes us the best vending company to come to when experiencing service issues. In our machine prices, our maintenance costs are incorporated to save any hassle in the future, therefore making our equipment a long-term investment for both parties. Our reliable service is built on our staff and customers, making the best deal for both sides.

The service controller is one of our key positions within the business, meaning that every single element of this role helps to ensure that we are upholding our promise of industry leading response times and our commitment to service.

A consistent response time of under 2 hours!

In the vending industry we have the quickest service response time, which therefore allows us to provide the ultimate drinks experience and optimise our resources. Our response times mean that if you do encounter a problem, we deal with it quickly and efficiently to ensure our customers experience the best vending service around. Regardless of the situation, you can always rely on us to fix it! Here at Coinadrink we fight conditions to help keep our number one priority (you) satisfied. Our customer surveys also demonstrate how excellent our services are, so why not give it a try?

Coinadrink Ltd

10-11, Maple Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich Ln, Walsall WS2 8TF
01922 640777

The post A day in the life of our service desk controller at Coinadrink Limited. appeared first on Coinadrink.

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A lockdown full of appreciation and progression from Black Country vending supplier Coinadrink Limited.

Lockdown has been a strange time for us here at Coinadrink, as it has with everyone. But they say troubled times bring everyone together, and we wanted to share the “ray of light” that we’ve witnessed internally, throughout the industry and across our country. Here is how Coinadrink, a trusted vending supplier, ploughed through lockdown to come out the other side with optimism for the future. 

Showing our appreciation to our wonderful NHS.

We feel a worthy starting point is our wonderful National Health Service. In many ways, the NHS has always felt like a hidden gem. We all know how important it is to our country, but it’s only during periods of real hardship that we grow to love and appreciate it more than we ever thought possible. Whilst it’s tough for any token gesture to do their efforts justice, we were always keen to show our appreciation where possible.

And we did it the Coinadrink way! We donated four Flavia 400 coffee machines along with enough supplies to make 800 cups of coffee, 560 cups of tea and 290 hot chocolates to the team at our local Walsall Manor Hospital. We also partnered with Britvic PLC to provide a crate of cold drinks including Pepsi Max, Fanta and Spring Water.

We knew NHS staff worked tirelessly around the clock, so we wanted to provide refreshments for them to make the most of their break. We also did something similar to the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton when we donated a variety of refreshment supplies. Duncan Bedford, Executive Managing Director at the hospital, said “Our staff and patients are extremely grateful for your kind gestures. Thank you again for thinking of our staff in these difficult times.”

Pulling together during tough times.

For our business, like most, we can’t say the past few months have been easy. But the one thing we were determined to do from the start was to try and make the best of a bad situation. We have been operating 58 years so needless to say this isn’t the first time we have encountered troubled times, but it is thanks to our hard working and committed team members that we have been able to come out the other side. Refreshment Shop, our online store introduced to suit a shift in consumer demand in 2007, has done particularly well. We want to thank those staff members who have coped with exceptionally high demand during difficult circumstances.

And we weren’t about to let the pandemic take its toll on one of the main things that makes us who we are: customer service. Once again it is down to our team members, both field and office based, that we can proudly say we didn’t once let our lead times on equipment nor service response times fall below our high standards. We know there are a lot of vending companies that were powerless to stop this happening, so we are delighted with what is a great achievement for our customer-orientated business. Well done to everyone involved!

We fully appreciate that it is not just ourselves that have been impacted by this dreadful virus, and as their vending supplier we felt it was our duty to show our support to customers where we could. All customers had the option to receive free social distancing packs for each of their machines and we also offered to relocate their equipment free of charge to further assist with social distancing. Lots of customers took us up on this and we were only too happy to help keep them and their visitors safe on their premises.

Emphasising our industry leading hygiene procedures as a vending supplier.

In truth, Coinadrink’s customers are always in “safe hands” when using our equipment and the pandemic provided a good opportunity for us to emphasise our pro-active stance towards hygiene. Whilst many other vending companies have merely “reacted” to the virus, we are a vending supplier confident in bespoke procedures that are as old as we are! These include our unique sanitisation process on our hot drinks’ machines and our advanced auditing procedure that maintains our high standards.

An innovative plan for the future.

Moving forward, we feel as though we are in a good position for the future. An important aspect that has always allowed us to stay ahead of the competition is our keen eye for innovation. We quickly figured that such a flexible and fast paced industry such as ours was perfectly set up to “adapt” to the changing trends consumers are now demanding, particularly with hygiene. Backed up by the Automatic Vending Association, vending machines remain a safe entity for the provision of food and drink, but vending is well positioned for those who require added peace of mind.

The last few months have seen us acquire new equipment and services from our suppliers that can offer just that. Distance Selection works with specific hot drinks and coffee machines to enable the user to select their beverage simply by “hovering” their finger over the desired icon. Elsewhere, we now provide equally “contactless” water dispensers and models from AA First go one step further by “self-sanitising” your water dispenser at regular intervals. Our equipment already leads the way with hygiene, but we’re delighted to now offer truly “contactless” options to our range.

Collaborating with one of our trusted suppliers, Evoca Group, Coinadrink now provides vending machines that can be adapted to store and dispense a variety of PPE from face masks to hand sanitiser. Since this announcement, we have seen extremely high interest, including that from Birmingham TV, who recently interviewed our Sales and Marketing Manager Tom Williams about it.

 

 

 

Coinadrink Ltd

10-11, Maple Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich Ln, Walsall WS2 8TF
01922 640777

The post A lockdown full of appreciation and progression from Black Country vending supplier Coinadrink Limited. appeared first on Coinadrink.

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Happy Black Country Day from vending firm Coinadrink Limited!

Right from the word ‘go’ in 1962, Coinadrink Limited has been located in the Black Country. Needless to say, then, we have the ‘Black Country blood’ running through our veins!

Our 58-year history has seen us build valuable working relationships through business networking events and exhibitions. And we are proud to call this region our home. Black Country Day has always fallen on the 14^th July but its origins are intriguing to say the least. To begin with, let’s go back to basics and provide a few Black Country facts on Black Country Day 2o2o!

A few facts on the Black Country.

The Black Country gets its name from the mid 19^th century, where the thick smoke epitomised the intense iron and coal production in the West Midlands. Its location is just north of Worcestershire, slightly south of Staffordshire and just to the east of Birmingham. The four main boroughs are Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, whilst some of the notable places of interest include Stourbridge, Wednesbury, West Bromwich and Willenhall.

Black Country Day traditions.

Black Country Day falls on the 14^th July because this is the anniversary of the World’s first steam engine, the Newcomen Engine. This was built in the area in 1712. If you’re keen on finding out more about this then a replica of the engine, as well as more information, can still be viewed today in the Black Country Museum in Dudley!

Black Country Day aims to create a sense of community in the neighbourhoods that people both live and work, appreciating such a close-knit area. Traditionally, this event is celebrated with great events that locals can get involved in, including carnivals, music festivals and sporting activities. There has usually been a dedicated “Black Country Festival” to mark this special day, which provides a sense of what makes the Black Country so iconic. Each event is designed to bring the Black Country communities & people together using the celebration of our shared Black Country culture and heritage.

Unfortunately, it has been cancelled this year due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. But that won’t stop Black Country locals coming together to mark the day in their own way, we’re sure!

If you’re planning to get involved with any special events this year, why not get involved and tell us in the comments below or on social media?

Meanwhile, here’s a clip from our MD Roger Williams, who explained how Black Country vending firm Coinadrink Limited came to be 58 years ago…

Coinadrink Ltd

10-11, Maple Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich Ln, Walsall WS2 8TF
01922 640777

The post Happy Black Country Day from vending firm Coinadrink Limited! appeared first on Coinadrink.

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The Micro Market: the future of the workplace canteen.

More and more companies are starting to understand the importance of offering their employees food in the workplace. For larger sites in particular, food has traditionally been provided via a workplace canteen. But now there is a better solution. One that’s simple, stylish and also cheaper to enjoy. The Micro Market is the future of the workplace refreshments and lots of workplaces are already choosing this revolutionary new idea in favour of the canteen.

The Micro Market transforms workplace refreshments for the better. Express Refreshments introduced the UK’s very first Micro Market in 2013, allowing British businesses to experience the kind of benefits the USA had been enjoying for years prior.

If you’re looking for a solution to keep your workforce fed and watered throughout the day, here is why you should choose a Micro Market instead of a canteen or traditional catering.

The Micro Market is completely unmanned.

A Micro Market doesn’t need a cashier to function. It doesn’t even need anyone to maintain security. Because the Micro Market is located securely on business premises, it’s away from the general public to simply come in and help themselves to products. Instead, the Micro Market delivers peace of mind through operated CCTV and the trust that exists within your team.

This delivers a variety of benefits. The Micro Market is entirely self-service, which makes it open and available to use 24 hours a day. Ideal if your staff operate outside the traditional 9-5 working hours. And because it is a self-service workplace refreshment solution, you don’t need to employ anyone to man it. This is one reason that makes the Micro Market cost-effective when compared to a workplace canteen or traditional catering.

One final benefit to mention comes in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic that has affected us all. Naturally, hygiene is now a big concern for us all, if it wasn’t already. The Micro Market’s open, around-the-clock design makes it easy for employees to stagger their break times and maintain social distancing with colleagues. There is no need to come into direct contact with anyone else.

Cashless payments.

It has recently been revealed that 7.4 million Britons are now living a cashless lifestyle. The safety, security and convenience of cashless payments makes them particularly appealing and COVID-19 is only adding to the argument.

The Micro Market conforms to demand and provides the user with a variety of options including card, mobile and pre-paid cards. The self-service terminals are bespoke to us with software that we have developed ourselves, so they are designed to be simple and easy to use. Just like in your local supermarket, these payment terminals are efficient and reduce wait times, which again helps with social distancing.

Shining a positive light on company culture.

Your workforce are the heartbeat of your company. But studies show they could be unhappy and are demanding more incentives from their employers.  65% of staff suggested they wanted better break out areas and the Micro Market is the best option to boost staff engagement and improve staff wellbeing.

We work with you to deliver a Micro Market that is completely personal to your business. This includes everything from branding and colour scheme right down to the size of your market and the types of products you’re looking to offer. Make no mistake here, the Micro Market is an impressionable refreshment solution that shows you care about the modern day workforce.

Millennials in particular are demanding flexible working facilities and services that cater to their needs. So you’ll be pleased to know the Micro Market supplies a variety of healthier items and makes it easy to “grab-and-go”. You can even subsidise the cost of items if you want to treat your team. Finally, you can enjoy regular perks such as meal deals and special offers, such as buy one product and get a second for free.

The foundations of the Micro Market are built for your team, which in turn helps retain and attract star talent.

A fully managed, cheaper, solution.

Unlike a workplace canteen, the Micro Market is managed solely by one company: ourselves. We work with you for the initial design and then take care of regular maintenance and replenishment. This means you only have to deal with one company coming onto your premises, minimising the hassle and maximising the convenience.

Your Micro Market can be whatever you want it to be. You can everything including fresh food, microwave meals, cold drinks and snacks, and you can even add a coffee machine for delicious fresh bean beverages. All costs are open and transparent right from the very start and the “all-in-one” nature of the market often makes it a cheaper option than alternative solutions.

Contact us about the future of the workplace canteen today!

The Micro Market is still years before it’s time. But many companies are relishing in the benefits today and your business could be next. The flexible, advanced nature of the Micro Market makes it a much better choice than a workplace canteen, so why wait?

To revitalise your workplace and its facilities, contact us today for a zero-obligation discussion into your requirements. We’d be more than happy to help.

Coinadrink Ltd

10-11, Maple Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich Ln, Walsall WS2 8TF
01922 640777

The post The Micro Market: the future of the workplace canteen. appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/the-micro-market-the-future-of-the-workplace-canteen/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-micro-market-the-future-of-the-workplace-canteen