Major chains like Starbucks and Costa are familiar sights on the high street, but independent coffee shops are also becoming increasingly popular.
Here in Lincoln we boast some of the best independent coffee shops in Britain, but what makes them so successful?
Sally Eades, restaurant manager at Stokes Cafe in Lincoln says: “I think it’s the personal touch, a lot of our customers are like friends. We have a lot of people, men in particular, who are widowed and come in every week for a hot meal.”
Another independent coffee shop in Lincoln, Coffee Aroma, stays open late on Friday and Saturday nights and serves alcohol.
Owner Andrew Carnell explains: “we have European students who come in and recognise it as the kind of bar they expect it to be. You can come in and have a glass of wine, chat to your mates, then get up the next morning and come in for a coffee.”
Independent businesses are not only good for local economy, but also bring tourists into the city.
Michael Armstrong from Lincoln Business Improvement Group says:”independent stores all give an added dimension to the city centre. We in Lincoln are so lucky because we have an area around the Bailgate with most of the independent shops and then the bigger chains in the city centre. It’s important to get a good mix.”
Listen below for an audio package on how important independent coffee shops are in Lincoln.
