Lincoln-based coffee shop and supplier Stokes set to open new café in Newark, Nottinghamshire

A popular coffee shop with over 120 years of experience is opening a new location in Newark.

Established in Lincoln in 1902, Stokes Tea and Coffee has built a loyal customer base and a strong reputation over the years.

The award-winning family business sources, roasts, blends and supplies all of their own coffee at their four coffee shops in and around Lincoln, as well as selling wholesale to cafés across the region.

Now, they are making a short hop over the border with a new location on Robin Hood Walk, Beaumond Cross in Newark, which is set to open on Monday, November 18.

Newark will also be unique as the only Stokes shop to have a coffee roaster located on site, allowing customers see their coffee being made, from bean to cup.

The shop features a modern, industrial design, with seating and tables suited for either sit down dining, or relaxing with a hot drink.

Newark was chosen as it is seen as the gateway to Nottinghamshire, and bosses hope that they will be able to expand further across the county and into the city of Nottingham itself as they continue to grow.

Vanessa Dias, group catering manager, said: “We are not a chain, we are a family business and that will never change, we are just branching out.

“Something that is really important to us is our ethos of people. Both the public and our people, everything we do is for everyone, so why not bring that here to Newark?

“This is a really nice space and I think all of the other businesses around us are going to benefit as we compliment each other.

“We are increasing what is on offer in Newark. The more there is, the more reasons people have to come into town.

“For us coffee is not just coffee, so we’re very excited to join the community and share that passion.”

The new shop has also created 20 to 25 new jobs, with all staff members employed from across the Newark area.

To celebrate the new location, Tom Pitts, production manager and head roaster has created an exclusive new coffee blend called the Castle Blend, inspired by Newark Castle.

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and evening meals are all available, made using locally sourced produce, such as meat from J Cottier butchers, and cakes from the Pudding Pantry in Nottingham.

They also commit to ensuring that at least 95% of what is serve is homemade and prepared fresh from the kitchen, and make the most of seasonal produce which is them prepared suistainably to avoid food waste.

Stokes will be open from 7.30am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday, from 7.30am to 9pm, on Friday and Sunday, and from 9am to 3pm on Sunday.