Stray’s at The Ossington

Bringing Newark's best coffee into Newark's own Coffee Palace...

Since we first moved in back in 2003, we’ve loved being at our Middlegate store. 20 years on and it’s time to move on.

So, early 2024 has seen us move over the road to The Ossington, a building we consider to be the gateway to Newark. Originally designed as The Ossington Coffee Palace, we’re really proud to be bringing that vision back to life some 140 years later.

And while we’ll miss our original home, this new site will allow us to grow and develop Stray’s into our 21st year and beyond.

So what’s in store, instore?

We’re known for making the best coffee in Newark and will continue to offer the same, fab coffee and cake as we have done for the last 20 years.

Add to that, we’ve updated our breakfast menu and daytime menus, which also sees the addition of a fab pizza menu!!

What are our new opening hours?

Initially our planned opening hours are:

Mon to Thu – 7:30am to 5:00pm – breakfast menu and lunch menu. In the next few weeks, this will
- Thursdays will extend to 10:00pm, once we have enough staff to look after you and will include our evening menu and of course, cocktails!
Fridays/Saturdays – 7:30am to 12:00 midnight – breakfast menu, daytime menu, evening menu, cocktails, live music til 10:00pm
Sundays – 9:30am to 4:00pm – breakfast menu, daytime menu, evening menu, cocktails – live music from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
- Sundays will also extend to close at 10:00pm later in the first quarter of 2024 once our recruitment is complete

What about ‘live’ lounge?

‘live’ Lounge will also be extending to both Friday and Saturday nights too, with doors open from 6:00pm and live music til 10:00pm on both nights. The 2024 jazz sessions will no longer require tickets, but as with all events, we recommend you book a table in advance, to secure your place.

Our brand is changing massively for 2024. We’re so proud of our new home, that we wanted to bring it into our logo, without forgetting our 20 years’ at our Middlegate home, where the Stray’s name comes from.

Stray’s has been family-owned and run since 2003 and after 20 years, we’re not only changing our address but the business also welcomes new a MD, Mark to the helm.

Mark has over 45 years of experience running businesses and will head up the management team at Stray’s. Assisting Mark is Stray’s Office Administrator Lara. With over 12 years experience in the hospitality sector, managing small independents as well as multi-bar 1000+ capacity venues.

The management continues with everybody’s favourite front of house events manager Colby, alongside Dan who will be running the floor at our new venue.

Our culinary team is headed up by Simon Burgess, alongside Shanice, James, Bart and Lisa.

And of course, our superstar team of Baristas including Sarah & Nate will be joined by all your favourite Stray’s floor team as well as a whole new bunch of people!

Stray’s co-founder Mat Short will still be on hand, consulting as Operations Manager, making sure the business continues to thrive under this new leadership. When asked why the change, “I’ve been doing this for over 20 years now – I’m tired and ready for new challenges” said Mat…