Payments

Old Spike uses Square transaction data to show purchases’ social impact

Image courtesy Old Spike

October 23, 2026

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Old Spike, a London coffee roaster and social enterprise, has opened its seventh cafe and introduced a digital dashboard showing how customer purchases support employment programs for people experiencing homelessness, according to a press release. The Great Suffolk Street location in Southwark is the first to display the system, which the company plans to expand across its cafes.

The dashboard receives transaction data automatically from Square and uses it to update animated displays tracking the company's training and employment efforts. Measures include program completions, graduates finding lasting employment and wages paid during work placements. Motion and data visualization studio Algo developed the animations at no charge using Rive software.

Founded in 2015, Old Spike said more than 350 people have completed its barista training program, which combines practical instruction, paid placements and help finding longer-term work. CEO Richard Robinson said in the release the dashboard helps customers understand how their spending supports those opportunities. The business also operates a Brixton roastery, supplies wholesale customers and sells coffee subscriptions online.