A few years ago, a small coffee shop opened Faringdon on Road, right across from the building that was The Barracks in the GWR Railway Village.
It soon became popular, but then one of the proprietors had a problem with immigration rules. In spite of a widespread #dontdeportmybarista campaign, they ended up having to leave the UK.
Thankfully Darkroom Espresso not only survived but prospered.
Before COVID, one of my small pleasures involved sitting at the window table and looking across to the houses in the Railway Village through the steam on the windows, enjoying an excellent cup of coffee.
Coffee (and tea and cake and sandwiches) are at present being served for take away at the front of the shop. Despite the reduced service ,the coffee and the warm welcome remain the same. I’m looking forward, one day, to taking that seat in the window again and watching the world go by.
Reflections on a coffee shop by Chris Eley
Darkroom Espresso Faringdon Road
Darkroom Espresso is s specialty coffee shop in the centre of Swindon, in the old Railway village. It opened in September 2014 and is now owned & run by local barista Stephen Jordan.
Stephen was already a long serving member of staff at Darkroom before taking on ownership in March 2019
The name of Darkroom Espresso comes from the idea that making coffee requires the same craft, skill and care as developing a photo in a darkroom. We use speciality coffee from Round Hill Roastery & other guest roasters, a range of speciality teas, low-sugar hot chocolate, fresh bread from Hobbs House and local cakes from V-Cuisine and Cakesmiths.
Reopen for takeaway following Coronavirus closure: https://www.facebook.com/darkroomSN1/
Darkroom is now open for takeaway only during Covid-19 restrictions for the following hours:
Monday to Friday 7:30am till 3pm
Saturday 9:00am till 4pm
Sunday 10:00am till 4pm
