Loud applause rang out in Lincoln’s historic Guildhall when a city businessman celebrated two accolades.

Stokes Tea & Coffee CEO Nick Peel was delighted to hear that he and his multi-faceted business had been chosen the joint winners of the prestigious Lincoln Civic Award for 2025.

The announcement followed intense deliberation by the Award Trustees who received nominations for both and who said they had “stood out.”

Before Nick received the impressive silver obelisk  from the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Alan Briggs, the rest of the civic party and guests attending the ceremony heard from Lincoln Civic Award Trustees’ Chairman Henry Ruddock  what had made him and the other trustees impressed about the business.

Mr Ruddock said:

“This is an incredible achievement. I am particularly pleased to see a family business, which dates back to 1902, win the award.

“Sustainability featured prominently in the nominations, along with the number of people employed. More importantly, the way they are cared for was also mentioned. I really think that is important.

“People spend a lot of time at work and what they experience is crucial to their wellbeing and the success of the company,”

he added.

“It was also interesting to hear that Nick is taking Stokes forward to BCorp recognition, which means changing the articles of the company to reflect, not just the interests of the shareholders which is the traditional stance, but to include the interests of society, employees, suppliers and others, not to mention the whole point of the business, the customers.”

Nick said:

“I’m blown away to receive this Award. It is a real honour. As a family business since 1902, we have grown to employ more than 100 people. We have coffee shops at The Lawn in Lincoln, on the city’s High Bridge, in Newark and at Welton. 

“We also have a stall in Lincoln’s newly revamped indoor market. We employ people who are working in catering, our office, part of our technical and engineering teams, training and sales.”

Alongside his commercial and retail operations, Nick is also proud to own the Arto-Deco influenced Charlotte House Hotel on The Lawn site, which has 14 rooms and 16 beds and which has undergone a major renovation.