11 years later, 13 Indian Coffee House branches to reopen after Kerala clears recruitment
After years of staff shortages and branch closures, Kerala's UDF government has cleared the recruitment of employees for the Thrissur-based India Coffee Board Workers Cooperative Society, paving the way for several closed Indian Coffee House outlets to reopen.
The Kerala government has given permission to the India Coffee Board Workers Cooperative Society to appoint new employees, a move expected to help revive Indian Coffee House branches that have remained closed for years.
The Thrissur-based cooperative society currently operates 45 of its 58 Coffee House branches, according to its president S.S. Anil Kumar. As many as 13 branches have remained closed for around 11 years because the society could not recruit the staff needed to operate them.
With government approval now in place, recruitment can begin for branches stretching from Thrissur to Thiruvananthapuram, allowing the closed outlets to resume operations.
Staff shortage behind long closures
The society had repeatedly approached government authorities in previous years seeking permission to recruit employees, but the process did not move forward.
Unlike many other organisations, the society is registered under the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, meaning government approval was required for appointments.
Society officials have indicated that around 500 employees need to be appointed to address the staffing shortage and resolve the operational difficulties facing the network.
Plans for more Coffee Houses
The cooperative society is also considering plans to open 10 new Indian Coffee House branches.
However, it also faces financial challenges. According to the society, a long-term loan is needed to clear pending Provident Fund contributions and gratuity payments.
The society is currently managed through a cooperative structure involving representatives from different political parties.
How Indian Coffee House began
Indian Coffee House has its roots in the network of Coffee Houses established by the Coffee Board during British rule to promote coffee consumption across India.
When the Coffee Board decided to close the Coffee Houses in the 1950s, communist leader A.K. Gopalan (A.K.G.) intervened to support the workers.
The workers subsequently formed the India Coffee Board Workers Cooperative Society, headquartered in Thrissur, which took over the running of the Coffee Houses.
The Kerala government's latest decision is expected to help the cooperative address its long-standing staffing crisis and bring more of the traditional outlets back into operation.