First big decision in 11 years! Indian Coffee House chain to regain lost glory in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: They lost their sheen when savvy restaurant outlets started popping up in all nooks and corners of the state. However, nobody ruled out the historic British-era Indian Coffee House, and it seems the time for a comeback. After 11 years, applications have been invited for the appointment of 600 people in various posts. Steps have been taken to open coffee houses in Kilimanoor, Kerala University, MLA Hostel, Kerala Kalamandalam, and Thanneermukkam Bund Road.

The members of the coffee house's governing body met with the Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and the Minister of Industries P.K. Kunhalikutty and submitted a memorandum. P.V. Abdul Wahab, MP, also provided the necessary assistance. Subsequently, the Director of the Industry and Commerce Department permitted the institution to invite applications for the appointment.

This institution was formed by AK Gopalan in 1958. The number of coffeehouses, which used to be 58 from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur, was reduced to 45 due to a lack of employees and loss of operations. Although the LDF government imposed administrative rule in 2017 following some disputes related to unions, the governing body approached the High Court and obtained a favourable verdict in July 2017.

The Indian Coffee House, which operates under the Department of Industries, is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors. The Director of the Department of Industries and Commerce is the registrar of the institution. The annual turnover is around Rs. 120 crore. Currently, there are around 1300 employees.