After 20 years of service, Stray’s at The Ossington announces its closure, highlighting challenges faced by small businesses post-Covid.
A local coffee shop and bistro, Stray’s at The Ossington, has officially announced its closure, leaving many in the Newark community surprised. The announcement came after a notice was posted in the window of the establishment, indicating that the closure was initially due to electrical issues, even as observers noted that the premises were being emptied.
Stray’s relocated to its current site from Middlegate in Newark in January 2024. The establishment has had a tumultuous history over the past few years, as various branches in Oakham, Market Harborough, and Stamford were shuttered between April 2022 and September 2023.
The notice displayed on the café’s window stated, “We are closed due to electric issues. Back open soon.” However, the reality of the situation has since become clearer. A message on the bistro’s website conveyed a more definitive end to operations. It read: “After 20 incredible years in Newark, it’s with heavy hearts that we announce our closure. To everyone who supported us along the way — thank you. You’ve been part of a truly special journey, and we’re so grateful for the memories we’ve made together.”
The message continued, mentioning the broader challenges that many small businesses have faced in recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Like many small businesses, we struggled to bounce back after Covid, and with the continued challenges of trading locally, we’ve had to make the difficult decision to close our doors.”
Stray’s also informed customers about the process for refunds concerning existing bookings for Afternoon Tea, assuring patrons that all refunds would be processed in the coming days.
The decision to cease operations comes amid a backdrop of past allegations regarding non-payment of staff and suppliers; however, the owners have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
This closure marks the end of an era for the bistro, which has been a part of Newark’s community fabric for two decades. The local sentiment surrounding their departure reflects the impact that Stray’s had on the area, with many expressing their gratitude for the years of service.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://strays.coffee – This URL supports the claim that Stray’s announced its closure after 20 years in Newark, mentioning the challenges faced by small businesses post-pandemic and expressing gratitude for community support.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ossington_Coffee_Tavern,_Newark_on_Trent – This URL corroborates the aspect of Stray’s relocation to The Ossington site, highlighting the venue’s history and architectural significance.
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g2543934-d2008095-Reviews-Stray_s_At_The_Ossington-Newark_on_Trent_Nottinghamshire_England.html – This URL provides feedback from customers about Stray’s performance at its new location, reflecting both positive and negative experiences with the service and environment.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This URL is mentioned as a source in the article but without specific content related to the claims. However, it might contain additional details about Stray’s or similar business closures in the area.
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/support-for-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19 – While not directly mentioned in the article, this URL provides general information on challenges faced by small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, which aligns with Stray’s statement about post-pandemic struggles.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent events and business changes, specifically a relocation in January 2024 and closures between April 2022 and September 2023. This suggests the information is relatively fresh.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
There are no direct quotes from identifiable individuals, but messages from the bistro’s notice and website are presented. Without specific authorship, it’s hard to verify these as the first use of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a local news outlet, which typically provides regionally specific and reliable information. However, local outlets may have varying standards of journalism.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the closure due to broader business challenges, especially post-pandemic, and the history of other branch closures are plausible and consistent with recent economic trends affecting small businesses.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears fresh, aligning with recent business developments and presenting plausible reasons for the closure. The source is generally reliable as a local news outlet, though quotes lack specific attribution. Overall confidence in the narrative is high.
