Stray's coffee shop in Oakham to close for good

By Evie Payne 20th Nov 2023

Stray's coffee shop in Oakham looks set to be closing as the shop is cleared out.

Stray's officially launched in 2003, and has branches in Newark, Market Harborough and Oakham.

Since opening the Oakham store in 2018, the coffee shop, eatery and entertainment venue has had a turbulent time, with multiple relaunches following the Covid-19 lockdown, and staff claiming that wages had not been paid.

While the shop refuted these claims, the coffee shop struggled to recover, and now looks as though it may be closing.

The store sold house blend coffee in store, as well as homemade cakes. Image credit: Nub News.

Originally launched by siblings Matt Short and Elizabeth Mack, the shop has run in Oakham for five years, with different managers fronting the business, but to no avail, as the store confirms closure after being emptied last week.

Mr Short attempted to revive the midlands brand by installing a new bike security system at the Oakham store, as well as bringing in a new team and hinting at the launch of a Stray's CBD coffee.

Unfortunately for the staff and management, the store remained unviable.

However, Mr Oldd of The Daily Grind encouraged former staff to pop into his Church Street shop to discuss temporary work over the Christmas period.

While the Oakham store is closing - following in the footsteps of the Stamford store, which closed in April 2022 - it appears that the Newark branch is relocating to the Ossington, and will be rebranded as 'Stray's at the Ossington'.

The Stamford branch of the coffee shop closed in April 2022, with bailiff notices in the window letting customers know that the store had served its last coffee.

The Market Harborough branch of Stray's has also closed its doors, leaving only the expanding Newark branch.

Oakham Nub News has contacted the team for comment.