Client: RW Stokes & Sons Ltd
Banks Long Lead: Simon Bridge
The Brief: Stokes & Sons are the proud owners of Stokes Tea & Coffee, an award-winning family business with almost 120 years’ experience in sourcing, roasting, blending and supplying coffee.
In 2016, Banks Long & Co acted on behalf of Stokes in acquiring The Lawn, a stunning Grade II listed Greek revival building that sits in the heart of Lincoln.
After successfully acquiring the property, which was originally established in 1817 as an asylum, Stokes trusted Banks Long & Co to consult on the building’s development before project managing its refurbishment.
Stokes & Sons hoped to redevelop The Lawn into an office and retail unit, transforming the space into their new, unique business headquarters, cafe, restaurant and theatre.
Banks Long & Co Solution: Due to the listed status of the building, Banks Long & Co worked closely alongside multiple bodies throughout the project, including the local planning and conservation authorities.
The works carried out were sympathetic to the listed status and history of the building, with Banks Long & Co ensuring the sensitive restoration of building fabric and that the most suitable building materials and skills contractors were utilised.
The Results: The project was fully let and occupied after refurbishment, and was delivered in phases to complement the client’s programme.
Banks Long & Co also created a 102 space car park as part of the purchase agreement, which is now utilised by the City of Lincoln Council to bring revenue to the local area.
The Lawn is now home to the ever-popular 60-seater Stokes restaurant, which to use their words, ”has been refurbished in the most eco-friendly way… with the help of the finest crafts people in the area”.
Nick Peel, Managing Director at Stokes said; "We’ve worked with Banks Long and co for many years and they have always provided sound advice for all our property requirements. Our latest project, the purchase and refurbishment of the Lawn, a 19th-century former asylum, was very daunting, but the team at Banks Long helped in all aspects of the development from build to lettings and now we have a wonderful, fully occupied building, home to twelve businesses".
