Product Sampling
Product Sampling in Manchester at BLACK MILK
Put your product in the hands of real customers at a busy Northern Quarter café. BLACK MILK is a Manchester institution with a cult following, so sampling here comes with a built-in audience, a credible setting and a team that knows how to run it.
Take over our menu, fill our shelves, brand our windows or hand out from the counter. We've hosted takeovers for coffee, cereal, soft drinks and dips, and we're set up to make yours easy.
Blue Turaco Coffee took over our menu for three days in October 2026 and served 500 coffees over three mornings.
Why Sample Here
- High footfall corner in the Northern Quarter
- 150,000+ social media followers
- 40,000 strong email list
- Working kitchen and coffee machine
- Trained baristas and counter staff
- Retail shelves and window display
- Menu takeovers and limited editions
- Email and social promotion
- Alongside the café or exclusive hire
Recent Sampling at BLACK MILK
Menu Takeover
Blue Turaco Coffee Takeover
The UK's only African farmer-owned coffee brand became our house coffee for three days and served 500 coffees over three mornings, with a limited edition plantain latte, Guess the Bean on the bar, retail packs on our shelves and a big blue bird on the windows.
Bakery Pop Up
Big Boy Bakes Cookie Pop Up
Sara brought her cookie business to BLACK MILK for its first ever Manchester pop-up, with trays of jam and butter toast and hazelnut tiramisu cookies on our counter. Small brands welcome.
What makes BLACK MILK unique
88 Oldham St, Manchester, M4 1LF
Perfect Location
High footfall location at the heart of Manchester's trendiest area.
Friendly Team
Well-trained staff and an event manager available for your event.
Well Known Destination
Along side our popular cafe, we have hosted some of the worlds biggest brands
Sampling Options
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Menu Takeover
Your product becomes the house ingredient. Blue Turaco's robusta replaced our coffee in every espresso-based drink for three days.
Ask about pricing -
Counter Sampling
Hand out from the counter or a display table by the door, with our team or yours.
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Free Giveaways
Fund a first-50-free offer and we'll run it. Blue Turaco served 500 coffees over three mornings.
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Limited Edition Specials
Our kitchen develops a drink or dessert around your product, like the Blue Turaco plantain latte and coffee milkshake.
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Retail Shelves
Stock packs on our shelves and in our online shop for the run of the campaign.
Ask about pricing -
Window Display
Three large windows on the corner of Oldham Street take vinyl, standees and product displays.
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Email and Social
Launch email to 40,000 subscribers plus posts and stories to 150,000+ followers.
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Your Team on Site
Bring your own brand ambassadors or barista. We'll open early if your offer needs it.
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In-Store Competitions
Run a competition from the bar, like Blue Turaco's Guess the Bean with a standee, jar of beans and iPad.
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Perfect Location
High footfall corner at the heart of Manchester's trendiest area.
Google Maps -
Flexible Format
Run alongside normal café trading, or take the space as an exclusive hire.
Ask about pricing -
5 Star Food Hygiene
Rated 5 for food hygiene, fully licensed, with £5,000,000 public liability insurance.
Venue Hire
Talk to us about your event
Tell us what you have in mind and we will get back to you with availability and a price.
Send an enquiry
Product sampling FAQs
Can our product take over the menu?
Yes. Blue Turaco's robusta replaced our house coffee in every espresso-based drink for three days. Tell us what you make and we'll work out where it fits.
Can our own team hand out samples?
Yes. Bring brand ambassadors or your own barista, or let our trained team run it for you. We'll open early if your offer needs it.
Can you create a special around our product?
Yes. Our kitchen developed a plantain-spiced latte and a white chocolate and coffee milkshake for Blue Turaco. We can do the same with a drink, dessert or bake for you.
Can we sell our product in the café?
Yes. We'll stock your packs on our retail shelves and list them in our online shop for the run of the campaign.
Can we brand the windows?
Yes. Three large windows on the corner of Oldham Street take vinyl, standees and product displays. The café just needs to be returned to its original condition afterwards.
Will you promote the sampling?
Yes. A launch email to our 40,000 subscribers plus posts and stories to over 150,000 social media followers, alongside posters and A-boards in the café.
Does the café stay open during sampling?
Up to you. Most sampling runs alongside normal trading so you reach our regular customers. Exclusive hire is available if you want the whole space.
How long can a sampling run?
From a single morning to a full week or more, any day of the year.
Is the café licensed and food safe?
Yes. 5 star food hygiene rating, on and off licence for alcohol and £5,000,000 public liability insurance.
How much notice do you need?
Very little. We can turn around last minute bookings quickly, so get in touch even if your date is close.
How much does it cost?
Every campaign is different, so we quote per booking. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll come back with availability and a price.