North Star Coffee Roasters is based in Leeds (Tong Road, LS12) and was founded in 2013 by Alex Kragiopoulos, with co-founder Holly Kragiopoulos bringing a background as a green coffee buyer and ethical coordinator at Falcon Specialty.
North Star Coffee Roasters is based in Leeds (Tong Road, LS12) and was founded in 2013 by Alex Kragiopoulos, with co-founder Holly Kragiopoulos bringing a background as a green coffee buyer and ethical coordinator at Falcon Specialty. Holly is a licensed Q Grader and has served on the international jury for the Cup of Excellence.
The business was founded after conversations with Kenyan small-scale farmers about their experiences with Fairtrade revealed structural problems in how the supply chain values producers. North Star operates a Coffee Hub at Leeds Dock where they run barista courses, alongside their roastery on Tong Road.
Their sourcing approach is built around direct trade relationships, with Rwanda's Ijabo Youth Project among their notable partners. The roastery supplies wholesale partners across the UK and sells subscriptions and individual bags online.
