Gardens

From Retail Therapy to Traditional Markets and Fayres

Lincolnshire offers a delightful mix of shopping experiences, ranging from modern shopping centres to traditional markets and fayres. Whether you’re a shopaholic looking for the latest trends or a curious traveller seeking unique local products, Lincolnshire has something to offer for everyone. Join us as we take a closer look at the diverse retail landscape in this charming county.

The county boasts several modern shopping centres that provide a one-stop destination for all your shopping needs. The Waterside Shopping Centre, located in the heart of Lincoln, is a popular choice, housing a wide range of high-street brands, independent boutiques, and eateries. With over 50 stores, it caters to all tastes and budgets.

Another noteworthy shopping destination is the Marshall’s Yard in Gainsborough. Set in a beautifully restored industrial complex, this shopping centre offers a unique shopping experience. Visitors can explore a variety of shops, including fashion boutiques, home decor stores, and specialty shops, complemented by cafés and restaurants.

Located in the heart of Grimsby, Freshney Place Shopping Centre is a vibrant retail destination that offers an exciting shopping experience for residents and visitors alike. With a wide array of stores, amenities, and entertainment options, the centre has firmly established itself as the go-to place for retail therapy in the area.

Spanning over two floors, the shopping centre is home to a diverse range of high-street brands, fashion boutiques, department stores, and specialty shops. From renowned fashion retailers to popular beauty and cosmetic brands, you’ll find everything you need to stay on top of the latest trends.

For those who appreciate a more traditional shopping experience, Lincolnshire hosts a plethora of charming markets, where you can find fresh produce, local crafts, antiques, and much more. The Lincoln Central Market, housed within the historic Corn Exchange building, is a vibrant hub for traders selling a diverse range of goods. From artisanal food products to vintage clothing, it’s a treasure trove for avid shoppers.

In the town of Boston, the Boston Market has been operating for over 450 years, making it one of the oldest continually running markets in the country. Here, you can browse through a variety of stalls selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to clothing, flowers, and household items. The market also offers a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and interact with friendly traders.

Throughout the year, Lincolnshire plays host to a plethora of fayres, bringing a sense of celebration and festivity to the county. From traditional country fayres to quirky and themed events, there is always something exciting happening. The Lincolnshire Showground in particular hosts a variety of fayres throughout July to September including a Toy Collectors Fair, An Antique and Home Show and The Vintage Flea Market.

Lincolnshire is a shopper’s paradise, offering a delightful mix of modern shopping centres, traditional markets, and vibrant fayres. Whether you prefer browsing high-street brands or exploring unique local treasures, the county has a diverse retail landscape to cater to your preferences. So, the next time you visit Lincolnshire, be sure to indulge in some retail therapy, immerse yourself in the lively markets, and experience the festive charm of the county’s fayres.

The Lincoln Tea & Coffee Company is constantly growing and developing and has moved up a level in the last few years. Developing Lincolnshire’s very own Lincolnshire Tea, being the first triple hat trick sponsor of the MOD, creating products for Charities such as St Barnabas and being fortunate enough to be contacted by Wrendale Designs and launch a joint collaboration for King Charles Coronation Tea.

To mark this exciting milestone, Susie has proudly reflected on the last 10 years…

“I started The Lincoln Tea & Coffee Company to fulfil a personal passion and dream whilst bringing up my two school aged children. I felt that this was the right time for my family, that it would truly fit in and my business would grow alongside my children.

Since starting our family, I had worked in my husband’s business doing the accounts. This worked well and enabled me to be flexible. I could manage my own time, often working from home during school hours. I enjoy every moment, my family always comes first.

So, alongside being mum, wife and doing accounts for my husband, I thought it was time for me to follow my business dream in my spare time! How much time could a small business that supplies tea and coffee take?! I started my dream at the kitchen table, where it was initially registered on my laptop and even thought of the name ‘The Lincoln Tea and Coffee Company’ whilst changing the bed!

I have had a true passion for tea since I was a small girl, which I shared with my nan and parents; my favourite being Jasmine Tea from China. As a family, we found it a challenge to find tea and coffee we loved, so we knew quality tea products from around the world was essential. My first contact being an amazing plantation in Sri Lanka, I then went on to work with different tea experts.

This thirst for knowledge also extended to the coffee sector and we have worked with many experts and knowledgeable people along our journey. Within the first 6 months of the company, I had collaborated with a world renowned coffee roasting team, espresso manufacturers and even gained a City and Guilds in Barista Skills Level 2 to Distinction level. All in my spare time, of course!

Founded in 2013, The Lincoln Tea & Coffee Company is proudly celebrating a decade this year. Ten years on and still driven by the same values; a customer focused company whose logo stands for quality and passion. A family run business who supply award-winning products and service and stand out for being leaders in sustainability and innovation.

My background was customer services in London before meeting my husband John and moving to my new home of Lincolnshire, so it was important to me that service was an area in which the company would always shine. My dream turned from a fledgling business that had gained a fabulous reputation, to being asked to not only sell to the end users we had originally set out to supply but also to hotels, coffee shops and conference centres that loved what we sold and the service we provided.

I went from doing the accounts to running a new business, learning new skills and juggling many business hats. As the founder of the business, I did it all from; marketing, sales, barista training, social media, product design to delivery driver and more. This was at the same time as being a fulltime mum and wife and often feeling guilty, as so many mums do.

People often ask me how I set up a tea and coffee company from scratch, that it must have been rather a challenge. I must confess to sometimes feeling a little overwhelmed and that I had maybe bitten off more than I could chew! Stubbornness and the strong will to succeed have always been my best friends.

It has been true teamwork that has helped the company go on to succeed further. From my vision and ‘sparkly’ business brain to my husband John becoming increasingly involved in the business over the years, with his great engineering and sales skills to our daughter choosing to work with us at events and then going on to design product packaging, adverts and brochures.

Then we started to employ and now have the most incredible team. They bring fabulous skills and passion. With the range of talents we have between us, I no longer need to juggle a variety of roles on my own. We really are the dream team.

The Lincoln Tea and Coffee Company is truly a successful family business and I am so proud of our products, our reputation, our growth, our awards, our trophies, our Great Taste Producer status and so much more. As a team, we are proud of our roles, the partnerships we form, the display teams we sponsor, the valued customers we support, our vision, our skills, the company’s success and the business as a whole.

Now, as we celebrate our 10 year anniversary, I sometimes have to pinch myself to believe all that has been achieved. I realise now that dream has become reality and wonder what the next 10 years will bring!”

Plans are to remain focused on supplying awardwinning products and services and developing more innovative lines, whilst maintaining the same excellent service they are so well known for. Whoever is involved in the future, Carlisle or not, they will be a huge part of the extended family that is The Lincoln Tea & Coffee Company.