Self-serve coffee pop-up offering free drinks in Soho next week with new automated concept

Unity Coffee, a new self-serve coffee concept, will launch a temporary pop-up in Soho next week, offering free drinks from Tuesday 16^th to Thursday 18^th December. Located at The Designer Boutique at 19 D’Arblay Street, the initiative aims to attract Christmas shoppers and city workers with complimentary coffee, hot chocolate and matcha, while showcasing a new automated vending machine designed for use in public and commercial spaces.

The pop-up marks the return to the coffee industry of entrepreneur Scott Martin, the founder of Coffee Nation, a brand developing pioneering self-service coffee stations in the UK. Unity Coffee represents Martin’s latest venture, which he says is a response to what he sees as stagnation in the high street coffee sector. “High street coffee has lost its way,” Martin opined, adding that his company offers “a revolutionary new product”. Visitors to the Soho location will be able to sample drinks free of charge by downloading the Unity Coffee app. The machine, which features automated technology and uses what the company describes as “premium ingredients”, is intended to be rolled out in workplaces, universities and transport hubs across the UK.

The company’s self-service model reflects a growing and controversial trend in the food and beverage industry towards automation and contactless service. While Unity Coffee is still in its early stages, the pop-up offers an initial view of the technology and user experience behind the brand.

Unity Coffee has not yet announced a full launch date for its broader rollout but has indicated plans to expand into high-footfall areas in 2026.

Food Desk

Unity Coffee’s pop-up takes place from 16^th until 18^th December 2025 at 19 D’Arblay Street, London W1F 8ED. For further information about Unity Coffee, visit their website here.