Grand opening today. Lunchtime but not busy, though apparently busy in the morning when they opened.
Saturday, freebies, what of next week?
Where once was Stokes to Go, before that a pasty shop, before that a tie shop, now Oatz & Stokes on High Bridge, an ancient Norman Bridge crossing the River Witham in the city centre.
After Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle, Stokes on High Bridge, a timber-framed building on High Bridge, a listed building, the third most important historic building in Lincoln.
Now trading as Oatz & Stokes, garish colours, not in keeping with the building, showing little empathy for the building.
Due credit to Stokes, they have always shown empathy and respect for the building. What has gone wrong? It looks like a junk food takeaway. More fitting for a tacky market stall.
Not so long ago, Dough Loco was forced to paint over graffiti on a listed wall. Clean yes, but to paint over not only made no sense, it was perverse. If the listed wall at Dough Loco was not ok, then garish colours on a listed timber-framed building at Stokes on High Bridge is far from OK.
What is depressing, apart from out of character with the building, is that it is a lost opportunity for Stokes to showcase their best coffee, to have guest coffee from other roasteries. Where once Stokes was an industry leader, an innovator, they are being left behind. Why not install a roaster as used by Vibe in Nottingham? Though ventilation may be a problem in a listed building.
Coffee is on sale. Best by meaningless, Requires roast date. And information about the beans, origin etc. Choice of beans or ground. Grind size is critical. Least worst option, take beans next door, tell them what you want the beans for, and ask that the beans be ground. Best option, grind beans fresh for each brew. Check out Timemore C3 and C5 series grinders in Black Friday sale. Or visit Cosmos in Hockley in Nottingham,where will find Timemore grinders on sale.
Oatz & Stokes coffee and cakes to go, small outside seating and cosy seating area upstairs. Tote bags and clothing on sale.
Coffee in Nottingham is in another league to Lincoln, with two coffee shops two of the best in the country.
Sadly what we are seeing is symptomatic of Lincoln, a food swamp, crap corporate chain eateries, disgusting junk food takeaways and binge drinking bars. On the corner where until recently Anne Summers sex shop, to reopen as a disgusting American junk food outlet.
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