Danny Baker and his red phone box coffee stop

THE OWNER of a coffee shop based in a red phone box has warned customers he won’t be open before Christmas after a serious fall – and says the Royal Free Hospital “saved my life”.

Passers-by may have noticed that Danny Baker, who runs the Original Red Coffee Box from a Grade II-listed kiosk in Hampstead, has been out of action over summer. Speaking to the New Journal this week, Mr Baker said he sustained several serious injuries after tripping off a bus in July. He has since been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and has praised hospital staff at the Royal Free for their care.

“They’ve saved my life,” he said.

Mr Baker, from Swiss Cottage, said his injuries are so serious that doesn’t expect to be reopening the doors of his coffee shop until Christmas, adding: “I can’t see myself doing much before Christmas, because I can’t stand at the moment.”

He added he was “very disappointed because I love doing what I do – not so much the money side of it, there’s no big money in it. I did it first through lockdown as something for me to do, and now you wouldn’t believe the people in Hampstead. I’ve had so many phone calls from customers.”

He said other shopkeepers have checked in on him too. “What you give out you’ll get back. I’ve always thought of myself as a kind person when I sell my coffee, I always chat to people, always give them a free biscuit, and it came back to me in lots of ways.”