Claire and Hyden moved from Hong Kong to the UK in 2021 with the dream of opening their own coffee shop
05:52, 11 Feb 2026
(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
A fusion of Cantonese, British and other international influences, there’s something particularly moreish about Hong Kong-style baked goods. Enjoyed fresh from local bakeries or street hawker stalls on the morning commute or as a midday snack, they’re a staple of daily life.
Here in Greater Manchester they’re becoming increasingly popular as a plethora of Hong Kong cafes – also known as cha chaan tengs – pop up up selling everything from comforting milk tea and eggs tarts to French toast and pork chop rice. The more recent migration of people from Hong Kong to the UK came after 2020, when China imposed a new national security law, which led to wide-spread protests and a tough crackdown.
This turmoil and the fear of speaking out prompted many to seek a new life here. Some Hong Kongers headed for the north west, settling in large numbers particularly in places like Trafford and Stockport.
This was the case for Claire and Hyden who had to leave their family behind in Hong Kong. “We couldn’t stand the lack of freedom of speech back in Hong Kong so when the BNO became available we decided we had to go. There was that push factor but also the pull factors of the UK,” reflects Claire from inside her new coffee shop in Stockport town centre.
On January 31, 2021, the UK introduced a new immigration route for Hongkongers with British National Overseas (BN(O)) status, and by the end of June 2023, 140,500 had applied. As of March 2025, over 163,400 Hong Kong residents have arrived in the UK through this visa route.
“We left our family behind in Hong Kong so it’s just myself and Hyden here. We still can go back there to see them, but the long distance is tough. Age wise my mum is getting older so it’s tricky and I do worry about her.”
When they first moved to the UK, the pair visited cities including London and Brighton before landing in the North. “We would stay a week or so in each city, but then we decided Manchester was the place we wanted to be.
“Before opening this coffee shop we had another business, a hardware store in Chorlton and we live in Wythenshawe. We decided to open a coffee shop because we wanted to have a different life to what we had in Hong Kong. I used to work in events and marketing and Hyden was an electrician – so it’s quite a different lifestyle.
“There’s a lot of things happening in Stockport though and a lot of opportunities. The community here is really nice.”
They opened Ripples Coffee in September, focusing on high-quality coffee and amazing baked goods. Step inside their contemporary coffee shop on Petersgate and it’s not an exaggeration to say that you’ve entered an oasis of calm with minimal interruptions, cosy seating and just the sound of the milk frother firing up.
They’ve partnered with local brewers Kickback Coffee on their house blend, offering visitors a chance to try ‘The Explorer’ – a great all rounder with a smooth, creamy finish . They also serve a decaf called ‘Caff Ya Later’, as well as guest blends from Heart & Graft and Kiss the Hippo, to give coffee lovers and wide choice of blends and styles.
As well as all the standard choices – espresso, flat white cappuccino – they also serve Pour Over and a Batch Brew of the Day. The latter currently comes from Harmony coffee roasters in York.
“We didn’t really have any experience before, but we just love coffee,” laughs Claire.
“We hadn’t worked in the coffee industry before but we knew we wanted a different lifestyle and decided to take a risk. I did take some lessons when I was in Hong Kong and we have espresso machines and do pour over at home and back in Hong Kong.
“We watched a lot of videos and had a lot of practice. Normally for espresso we use a blend of coffees because single origin might be too strong for some people. Guest blends we change every month or two so customers can have a bit of choice.
“We don’t have much time off, but we go to a lot of coffee shops. Even when we travel abroad, that’s how we got inspiration for our coffee shop too. “
Those who know Stockport’s bakery scene well will notice a selection of bakes from Polish bakery Sticky Fingers including Blackcurrant brioche, pain au chocolat and apple, pear and cinnamon brioche, but they also work with Kong Kong-born baker Sundreams bread who is based in Stockport.
“Sundreams is a home bakery at the moment but we wanted to have a little bit of our Hong Kong culture for the customers too. These are very common, everyday breakfast items for us back home, every local bakery will have them. On the way to work you grab one so it’s very common.”
Customers can choose from a smooth butter made from butter sugar and milk is piped into a soft and fluffy bun resembling a hotdog bun and topped with coconut, or try a classic pineapple bun, which is easy to spot on account of its cracked sugar top and is served with a thick slice of cold butter. They also have cocktail buns piped with rich coconut cream, and chicken sausage buns too.
On settling into the UK and growing their customer base, Claire says its been a positive experience. “I’m quite ok integrating because I speak English, I don’t have any adaptation problem, and because the Hong Kong style was built by the British, I think the system is familiar.
“What I have experienced here is people in Manchester are quite open to new people, I haven’t experienced any racism. Maybe because we are from Hong Kong and people know what has happened there, they are supportive of us.”
