July 14, 2021 5.03 pm
This story is over 28 months old
Lincoln village coffee shop opens to become hub of community
It has opened in the old library
Jaime Oliver (left) and Isaac Stott (right) have teamed up to move Seven Districts Coffee into The Hub in Nettleham. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
A coffee shop inside a village hub in Nettleham is aiming to engage with the community and encourage reading and socialising as it opens its doors in the old library.
Seven Districts Coffee opened a shop in the former Farmers Arms on Market Rasen Road in Welton Hill, back in September 2020, and wanted to open another in the place the co-owners grew up: the Lincoln village of Nettleham.
So on Friday, July 9, the new Seven Districts shop opened at The Hub community centre on East Street, which also houses a library.
Seven Districts Coffee’s new shop is situated inside The Hub community centre in Nettleham. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
It will work hand in hand with the library, which is due to return on August 1, and Seven District’s brand and marketing director Isaac Stott has said he wants it to be more than just a coffee shop.
It will be open seven days a week for the locals to enjoy. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
He told The Lincolnite: “This is all about us being able to give back to the people. Offering a safe haven where the local community can come and meet people or have a catch up with a friend.
“We’re all local to Nettleham ourselves, so it was a no brainer for us to come here and provide something for the locals.”
The library section will reopen on August 1. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The move is part of a collaboration with The Hub, which has seen the building renovated and relaunched in an attempt to bring more people to the area.
Baristas are on hand to make you a tasty, freshly roasted coffee. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Jaime Oliver, founder and manager of The Hub, said: “It’s a partnership that benefits both parties greatly. We want people to feel and know that they are contributing to the community by coming here.
“Books and coffee go hand in hand, so we’re really excited to be able to launch the coffee shop and hopefully keep people coming to The Hub.”
A cosy, peaceful place to go for a read and a coffee. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
There are a selection of benches around the outside of The Hub, which are open to use in the hope of creating “friendship benches” which will aim to encourage people to make friends and memories there.
The benches are open to all hub users, not just those who attend the cafe itself. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
It will be open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 9.30am to 4pm on Sundays.
The home baked food looks so tasty. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
As well as their well-known hot drinks, there are also a selection of coffee shop style food, including home baked cakes and scones.
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: