Change Please Cafe @ Halifax

118 New Oxford St, London WC1A 1HD, United Kingdom
$$$ Cafe
(57 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

Welcome to Change Please Cafe, a remarkable hidden gem nestled on the first floor of the Halifax bank at 118 New Oxford St, London. This unique establishment transcends the traditional cafe experience by intertwining community spirit with a commitment to social change.

As you step through the doors, leaving the bustle of Tottenham Court Road behind, you’ll discover a spacious, inviting environment brimming with natural light. The atmosphere is catapulted into cozy territory with ample seating options, from comfortable sofas to large communal tables, making it perfect for both heart-to-heart conversations and productive work sessions. You might even stumble upon delightful activities, such as a casual cross-stitch group sharing laughs and creativity, adding to the welcoming vibe.

Change Please Cafe's value extends far beyond its walls. This social enterprise is dedicated to helping the homeless by training individuals to become baristas. Therefore, every cup of coffee and slice of cake you purchase contributes directly to this noble cause—making your time spent here feel all the more meaningful.

Patrons rave about the affordable coffee and cake deal – just £4.50 for a delightful pairing that is hard to resist! The flat whites expertly crafted here are described as “great,” complimented by a variety of delicious pastries, ensuring that your visit can be both a treat and a work-friendly retreat. The cafe's WiFi and accessible power plugs allow you to charge your devices while indulging in a well-deserved break from the day-to-day grind.

Reflecting on the experiences shared by customers, commentary pours in that culminates in one phrase: “This place is truly a gem.” From the friendly service to the serene ambiance, every visitor seems to find a spot where they can unwind or focus. One customer mentioned, *“Great hidden gem cafe away from the bustle”*, which perfectly encapsulates why this cafe is favored by many seeking solace in a hectic city.

Even the aura of the space separates it from your typical high-street coffee shop. As you navigate your way through the bank, you’ll soon forget you’re in such a corporate environment – the Change Please vibe proudly stands independent and fresh. The cafe’s unique purpose entwined with its innovative coffee service creates a refreshing experience that offers much-needed respite in central London.

However, it's good to note that the cafe space is occasionally booked for corporate workshops, which may affect their operational hours. Therefore, it’s wise to check ahead if you're planning a visit.

In summary, Change Please Cafe not only serves up delicious, top-quality coffee but also offers a rewarding experience that supports a positive societal impact. Whether you’re looking to catch up with friends, finish a work project, or simply enjoy a good cup of coffee, this cafe is a prime destination that combines comfort, community, and compassion.

Service options
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Offerings
Coffee
Quick bite
Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Dessert
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
NFC mobile payments
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Tuesday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Wednesday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Thursday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Friday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Saturday

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 05:00 PM

57 Reviews
Suzanne Ling

31 Aug 2025

Hidden gem for a social cause. Good value for money for coffee and cake at £4.5z Spacious with plenty of power plugs, wifi and clean toilet. Good place for discussion/work/study.

Judith Reece

17 Aug 2025

Lovely quiet open space located on 1st floor of Halifax bank. It’s a social enterprise cafe with Wi-Fi and good deals on coffee and cakes

Boon Koh

05 Aug 2025

Edit warning: they're now booking out the space for corporate workshops. So the opening days and hours are unpredictable...! Great hidden gem cafe - away from the bustle of Tottenham Court Road. Super quiet upstairs, for conversations or working. Lots of table space, sofa areas. Great coffees. And the best thing is that it benefits a social cause.

Fiona

02 Aug 2025

Friendly service and great cup of flat white! Plus point for the conducive environment and affordable food and beverage. Even better is profit to towards a good social cause!

George M

12 Jul 2025

This place is worth the initial confusion of walking into a a high street bank on Tottenham Court Road. Walk into the main entrance of Halifax, head to the back left and upstairs as it opens out to a large, bright coffee shop (there's no Halifax branding, you quickly forget you are 'in the bank', the Change Please vibe is very different!) . All the space of a big chain, but away from the usual London hustle. The staff are really friendly and explained a bit more about how it works as a social enterprise. It is also effectively subsidised by the bank so it's a bit cheaper than elsewhere, delicious coffee too. It has power points and given the location, would be a great place to get some work done. There was a crafting/knitting group getting ready for a meeting as we left - lots of big tables pushed together. Such a cute thing to see in Central. I'm posting a few photos that show how discretely it is advertised from the street. Just head in! It really is through the bank. Some of the other photos on here are clearly of the wrong place!

Katrina W

11 Jul 2025

Amazing! A large, quiet, space in the middle of central London. Brilliant for working, meeting, or catching up with friends. There was a cross stitch group in there when I visited. Coffee/tea and cake deal for £4:50 is superb!

Karim Arnous

28 Jun 2025

Hidden gem, cheaper coffee than most places but just as good and loads of room!

Pauline Brown

18 Jun 2025

All staffing is good upstairs cafe it's OK it should have some types of hot meal it just sugars and tea or coffee and lot of sugars then more people would there there.

Join the Change Please Cafe @ Halifax Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.