Bear Market Coffee has opened a new outlet on Dublin’s George’s Street – where cash is not welcome.

The cashless coffee store is a first for Dublin and Bear Market Coffee is partnering with Magnet Networks to provide the digital-first service.

Magnet is providing the business with secure, dedicated internet access, cloud voice and high-speed WiFi services. Customers can pay for their drinks by tapping and going, or by using their smartphones and/or smart watches.

Bear Market Coffee was founded in Blackrock in 2013 by husband-and-wife team Stephen and Ruth Deasy. The business now runs four stores in Dublin.

According to Stephen Deasy, the cashless store is resulting in less queues, as customers can order in advance and collect via the business’s app. “Our customers are increasingly living cashless lives and using their cards for even the smallest of transactions,” Deasy added.

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“From a business perspective there are numerous operational advantages, from cleanliness to security, as well as the fact that not moving cash from one location to another cuts down on carbon miles.”

Stephen Brewer, managing director of Magnet Networks in Ireland, said that cashless outlets will be the future of retail. “We have heard a lot about the slow death of the high street and retail, but digitalisation offers a real chance for the shopping industry to evolve and form a new relationship with customers based on information,” he added.

“Our broadband is brought in to the premises via fibre and wireless, providing constant back-ups to each other so the business can never be offline. “Cyber security is vital when you are dealing with electronic payments. We provide a managed firewall and advanced endpoint protection.”

Bear Market worked with retail consultancy 180 Degrees on the new store.

Photo: Stephen Brewer (front) with Stephen and Ruth Deasy (Pic: Conor McCabe)