Thousands of motorists a day drive past a new Nottingham coffee shop but inside it's a calm oasis. While the city centre is awash with cafes for shoppers and workers, Lola's Coffee is the only spot near the busy London Road island - with the added bonus of a scenic rooftop bar for hire.
"Nottingham has so many coffee shops, it's saturated, and so many food venues but there's not a place around here that has this atmosphere that people can come in and have meetings and chat with their friends," said owner George Mulville, who named the business in Pemberton Street after his dog, a black jackapoo. It goes without saying that it's a dog-friendly café.
'Life's too short for bad coffee' says an A-board outside and the coffee served at Lola's is top quality, locally roasted at Coffee Central behind Ikea in Giltbrook. Everything from a latte to a macchiato is on the menu, including the perfect caffeinated summer refreshment, iced coffee.
Keep up to date with all the latest food and drink news by signing up to our newsletter here
"A lot of people use 200 Degrees which is great coffee but I wanted to be a little bit different and offer a different flavour to what you get in a lot of coffee shops - house blend is in-between bitter and sweet so it appeases the majority of people but it leaves that nice coffee after taste," said George.
Builders' brew, and other loose leaf teas from Nottingham's very own Bird & Blend are served, including iced tea. Keeping it local s is something George, 27, feels strongly about. "I like to do everything local to give back to the local economy," he said.
The uniquely painted ceramic cups, served on wooden boards, are made locally by Anthony Godfrey and the new menus are being printed by a business close to the coffee shop.
Food-wise croissants and pain au chocolat are baked in-house, in a kitchen right next to the counter. Also on the menu are gourmet toasties and cakes, which include vegan and gluten-free options. Anything left over is put on Too Good to Go, the app for reducing food waste, so nothing goes in the bin.
Barista Brandon Walster is also a baker, so there could be brownies coming soon. "Brandon is really passionate and helps me along this journey and I couldn't have asked for anyone better to be working with," said George, who also employs an 18-year-old student, who has deferred going to university for a year. "Everyone I've got working for me is a nice, talkative and friendly person."
Food and drink can be enjoyed in the laid-back surroundings, with natural wood and green hues. Plenty of plants add a relaxing vibe... and the big silver elephant is something you don't see in other coffee shops.
"It's one of those places that never ever feels hectic because of the atmosphere it creates," said George, who originally started serving Lola's Coffee on markets in Newark, Mansfield and around Nottingham.
The coffee shop is also licensed, serving two cocktails for £10 - the Espresso Martini is especially good - plus wines, spirits and bottled beers. If there's a gig or show at the Motorpoint Arena, Lola's stays open until the event starts.
Lola's is located on the bend, with a ready-made clientele right up above in the luxury 91-apartment block Hylyfe, which has a lift directly into the coffee shop. Custom also comes from nearby offices, workplaces and gig-goers on their way to the Motorpoint Arena.
George reckons it will only get busier with all the new student apartment blocks being built nearby. "There's quite a few pedestrians with the offices over there, BBC there and NHS walk-in centre across the road. It's just about getting the brand out there now.
"There's not actually a coffee shop around here. The first week was hit and miss and then we started getting busier and busier, then these roadworks came about a week or two ago and we had a little dip then and now we're starting to get busier again which has been really good. This area is going to be up-and-coming in the next two to three years," said George, who lives in Ruddington with his partner and one-year-old daughter Macie.
George, who previous worked at restaurants Las Iguanas and Prezzo in the city, said: "I have always wanted to open my own business. I've worked in hospitality since I was 18 years old - I've just been biding my time and since my daughter was born I thought if I don't start this now I never will. She's the main reason I've done this.
"It's risky opening your own business especially now after Covid when everything is so expensive. Coffee has gone up, food has gone up, everything's gone up. There's loads of different risks but I'm glad I've done it."
As well as running the coffee shop, George is also hiring out the exclusive rooftop bar with views of Nottingham Castle, Notts County's ground and beyond. "The rooftop is for residents but we offer it for bookings as well. We've had birthday parties up there and a baby shower," he said.
Coffee shop customer Anna Griffiths said: "I'm from Birmingham. I've had to take someone to an appointment so I'm just going to work from the coffee shop. I'm planning on spending most of the day here.
"It looked really nice online - and it is really nice. I've had a latte and then I'll give it a bit of time and have a toastie and then another five lattes! It's very nice smooth coffee - and it's nice to work here, the wi-fi here is brilliant," added Anna, who works at the University of Birmingham.
Lola's Coffee is open from 8am to 3pm Monday to Friday (with later opening for Motorpoint Arena events), Saturday 9am to 7pm and Sunday 9am to 4pm.
