Pandemic inspires rapid innovation for Lincoln wholesaler

Recent rhetoric in UK business tabloids makes for gloomy reading. The impact of pandemic restrictions and a Brexit stalemate mean that SMEs and independent businesses could be facing their biggest challenges yet. Potential supply-chain disruption and restricted trading are just two on a very long list of concerns that may be keeping Britain’s industry leaders awake at night.

The jury is out for now on potential impacts and benefits to big industries in our region like fishing and chemical sectors, and, there’s no denying that far-reaching consequences may be felt across the board, but, bright spots of ingenuity and reinvention are coming to the fore in some of the most surprising ways.

SMEs contribute 60% of jobs in the UK and help distribute wealth beyond major city borders by bringing growth and innovation to local economies. Being smaller has its advantages and gives agility and adaptability that big companies don’t always enjoy.

For one local business, the current challenges have been the catalyst for rapid innovation. Stokes Tea & Coffee is a family of coffee roasters which has been operating in the heart of Lincoln for more than 118 years.

The company has a long history of supplying wholesale coffee, tea, machines, servicing and training as well as operating two of the busiest cafés in the city. With most of its trading associated with the hospitality sector, Stokes has been hard hit but despite this, it’s celebrating a major market breakthrough.

Face to face interaction with employees, clients and other key contacts is becoming increasingly difficult for many organisations. The usual corporate hospitality, networking and team building events have disappeared from calendars leaving many managers at a loss in finding ways to keep engagement levels going.

So, the team at Stokes has created virtual events and experiences that can be tailored to each client. Specially designed kits and gift boxes are sent out to participants with everything they need prior to an event including a virtual tour of Stokes roastery. Invitees then join online and are taken through their experience by one of the Stokes Master Roasters.

Experiences include special coffee tastings and are helping to bring teams, colleagues or clients together to share something that is memorable, unique and in real-time. The uptake has been staggering with local and global clients signing up and most recently, bookings have been made by two Fortune 500 companies.

Nick Peel, MD, Stokes Tea & Coffee said: “The virtual events have received amazing feedback. Companies really enjoy having something so engaging and different to bring people and customers together even when they are apart. It’s proving to be a bit of lifeline for a vast range of clients.”

Stokes continues to develop its range of corporate gifts, experiences and events and plans to introduce new additions in the coming quarter.