Phil McGovern Caffeine & Machine founder

From tuning Beetles to creating a must-visit automotive destination, Phil McGovern talks about where his love of cars has taken him

- ANTONY INGRAM

SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF ENGLAND'S automotive heartland you'll find Caffeine & Machine. But we probably don't need to tell you that; chances are you're already fully aware of this distinctive café just outside Stratfordupon-Avon, which has become as much a part of the automotive landscape as Goodwood, Bicester Heritage or Silverstone. And Goodwood, Bicester and Silverstone don't have something on almost every day of the week.

It's a busy schedule, but for Phil McGovern, the man behind Caffeine & Machine, it's one he's worked hard to grow into the varied, inclusive, friendly environment it is today. From an idea that started simply as a way to connect with like-minded petrolheads while working out in the Middle East, McGovern has turned his themed car meets into one of the UK's most recognisable automotive venues.

We talk in a rare break between another couple of busy days; he's just spent an afternoon hosting Matt Farah and Zack Klapman from the popular Smoking Tire show and podcast in the US, and in a few hours' time he'll be getting ready to put on the latest 'I Love You, Man' night, a relaxed sit-down and a chat with a well-known automotive figure to discuss mental health.

McGovern's interest in cars came from familiar beginnings, albeit not perhaps in surroundings familiar to most of us. 'I had the posters hanging on my wall, I had the Matchbox cars, but I was raised in Saudi Arabia, and each time I'd fly back to the UK I'd stay with my granddad, who was the real petrolhead in the room. As a "hey, welcome home" he'd get me Bburago models, Matchbox cars... and it just kind of stuck.