The Dialogue Express Cafe, a vintage train car themed cafe will only take your order under one condition; you order your coffee using sign language (BSL), which is shown how to do using a guide
Over 18 million adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Experiences that can often be quick and simple interactions, like ordering a coffee or shopping or buying some food are made more difficult because of the lack of awareness or support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
It’s estimated that 25,000 people across the UK use sign language as their main language. But still, people who are deaf or experience hearing loss do not have the same inclusivity in society as those who are not.
Dialogue Hub, a social enterprise, aims to bridge that gap. They organise sensory experiences set in complete darkness and visitors can experience blind tour guides, diverse exhibitions and a BSL cafe where you can order your favourite coffee drinks using BSL with hard of hearing and deaf baristas.
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The vintage train car themed cafe, Dialogue Express Cafe located in Stratford, is operated by deaf and hard of hearing baristas. You order your food and drink using BSL, by following instructions on the video guide at the counter.
Inside the cafe, they host BSL lessons for all visitors, fostering inclusive and healthy dialogue between the hearing and hard of hearing people. They are driven by change and encourage all visitors to try use BSL and have a conversation with other visitors and baristas.
So far, there have been a slew of positive comments about the cafe. One TikTok user commented: “I will never understand why sign language isn’t taught in schools. This is incredible.”
Another said: “What a wonderful concept! Definitely on the ‘to visit’ list”.
A third explained how they are “trying to learn BSL to communicate better with one of [their] friends who’s deaf.” “I would totally go here to have a coffee and learn how to order it in BSL.”
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Labour MP Uma Kumaran also recognised the cafe in Parliament back in July when it first opened and how proud she was to see it open and thrive in her constituency.
She said: “As one of the first Labour candidates ever to make a video in sign language over a decade ago, it’s something close to my heart.” She continued voicing how BSL is not just a language but it’s a “gateway to learning and opportunity for thousands and is part of deaf identity and culture, one we should all embrace and be part of.”
While BSL is not part of the national curriculum, there are plans to introduce it as a GCSE option. It was originally meant to be launched in September 2025, however there have been significant delays on this. Schools can however teach BSL to students if they wish. There are several campaigns for BSL to be recognised in the curriculum and as a GCSE in schools.
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