Our History
Stokes Tea and Coffee all began in 1892 when one fine gentleman, Mr Robert William Stokes, moved to our glorious city of Lincoln. His passion for tea, coffee and the best customer service have meant that four generations, more than a century, and many a brew or two later, Stokes Tea & Coffee is still going strong.
Take a journey through our history below.
- CHAPTER 1
- CHAPTER 2
- CHAPTER 3
- CHAPTER 4
- CHAPTER 5
- CHAPTER 6
- CHAPTER 7
- CHAPTER 8
- CHAPTER 9
- CHAPTER 10
- CHAPTER 11
- CHAPTER 12
- CHAPTER 13
- CHAPTER 14
- CHAPTER 15
- CHAPTER 16
- CHAPTER 17
- CHAPTER 18
- CHAPTER 19
- CHAPTER 20
- CHAPTER 21
- CHAPTER 22
- CHAPTER 23
- CHAPTER 24
- CHAPTER 25
- CHAPTER 26
- CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 1:
1160
The High Bridge is built over the River Witham. Today, it stands as the only medieval bridge in the UK that still has houses upon it.
CHAPTER 2:
1540
Our marvellous, higgedly piggedly Tudor building is lovingly constructed on the ancient medieval bridge in Lincoln.
CHAPTER 3:
1819
Blimey, there’s fire at the High Bridge! Fortunately, the occupants (and the beautiful building that one day became our café) survive with only minor injuries…phew!
CHAPTER 4:
1892
At just twenty years old, young whippersnapper Robert Stokes moves to Lincoln and bags himself a job at a grocer’s on Guildhall Street.
CHAPTER 5:
1901
Confectioner Henry Kirk-White, an occupier of the High Bridge since 1869, gives our building a bit of TLC. Under the guidance of architect William Watkins and the ever watchful eye of Lincoln Corporation, he restored the original façade back to its former glory.
CHAPTER 6:
1902
Robert Stokes takes the reins of the grocer’s business and begins to indulge in his love for the finest teas and coffees.
CHAPTER 7:
1904
Robert wins his first medal for his marvellous coffee roasting skills. His remarkable thirst for knowledge means this is the first of many.
CHAPTER 8:
1913
By now, Robert has scooped up almost three dozen awards – bravo Robert! He then takes the plunge to buy his very first café, the old Coffee Palace renaming it ‘the Arcadia’.
CHAPTER 9:
1918
“Quick! Get the silver, the KING is coming for tea!” The future king, George VI, was appointed Officer at the Royal Naval Air services in Cranwell. George (or Bertie) visited the Arcadia Café several times. On one occasion, Mr Stokes’ sixteen year old daughter Janet was sent home on her bicycle to fetch the family silver as the Prince was coming for tea.
CHAPTER 10:
1937
During this year, Marks and Spencer’s had their sights set on the Arcadia Cafe. Unwilling to part with his ‘baby’, he named a price he thought they couldn’t possibly match. The very next day, there was a cheque on the doormat for the full amount and Robert upped sticks and moved one door up to our High Bridge Café. The very next week, he became a grandfather to his daughter Janet’s son, David.
CHAPTER 11:
1940s
“Oops, there goes the High Bridge.” A bomb drops in the River Witham as the Stokes family take tea at home. They are sure to finish every last drop before they dash off to check on any damage (you just don’t waste Gold Medal).
CHAPTER 12:
1944
Son of R W Stokes, Major Robert Donald Stokes is killed in action on the final day the enemy were driven from Conteville, Normandy. He was killed along with several other men from the Army’s Royal Lincolnshire Regiment.
CHAPTER 13:
1947
The Big Freeze of 1947 saw all of our pipes frozen solid for weeks. Every drop of water had to be carried by bucket! By golly, we really do go further for that perfect brew.
CHAPTER 14:
1950
Extensive works were carried out on the River Witham during the summer of 1950, with a view to easing the flood situation in winter time. The river was drained from Brayford Head to Stamp End, and the channel under High Bridge was deepened.
CHAPTER 15:
1956
Our founder, Robert William Stokes, dies at the age of 78 leaving behind a widow and children Janet, Osmond (known as ‘Josty’) and Babs.
CHAPTER 16:
1957
The Mau Mau Uprising threatened the very life of Osmond (Josty) Stokes and other Europeans in Kenya. For him, this meant fleeing from his beloved coffee plantation and coming back home to Blighty.
CHAPTER 17:
1959
This is the year our Master Roaster is born. Welcome to the world, Adrian!
CHAPTER 18:
1960s
David Peel, Robert’s grandson, invents our Blue Mountain Blend which is still our most popular and best loved coffee today. Spiffing job David.
CHAPTER 19:
1970s
Florence Wright, a waitress who worked for Stokes as a girl and stayed for over forty years, invents Flo’s Mix, a magnificent blend of tea, which is well and truly loved by our customers.
CHAPTER 20:
1971
Little Nicholas Peel is born. This tiny, red-faced infant will grow up to be our brilliant Managing Director.
CHAPTER 21:
1982
David Peel visits an exhibition in Birmingham and sees Bravilor machines for the first time. This sparks the start of the Stokes wholesale business, where we loan coffee machines to other businesses to help them brew the Stokes way.
CHAPTER 22:
1983
Stokes commissions one of the first packing machines in the country. David Peel, rather to the consternation of his other staff, calls it his ‘star performer’.
CHAPTER 23:
2002
To celebrate our Centenary, our staff dressed in period costume and served traditional fare at 1902 prices – I say, what a bargain!
CHAPTER 24:
2010
Stokes extends and opens a café on the ground floor, offering lighter refreshments in the form of snacks and cakes whilst the hungrier shoppers can still enjoy the dining rooms upstairs.
CHAPTER 25:
2011
The Stokes Tea & Coffee team open up a new café in the heart of the Collection Museum, a bright, modern place where hungry customers can enjoy crêpes, mimosas and live musicians (although please do note, the musicians are not for eating).
CHAPTER 26:
2017
Stokes move from their original offices and warehouse to The Lawn, a Grade II listed Georgian building in Lincoln, opening a third café, roastery and Barista Training Centre in the complex.
CHAPTER 27:
Today
Stokes Tea & Coffee is now fabulously run by Robert’s great grandson, Nick. More than a century since R.W. Stokes first chose to specialise in tea and coffee, the fourth generation are still doing him proud.