We’ve got some new neighbours across the square from our Kelham Island office, so it only seemed right that we headed over to welcome them to the neighbourhood ahead of their opening date on 11 February…
Not only will they be the closest coffee spot to our humble HQ, taking over the former home of Craft and Dough, but for the majority of you who don’t have to put up with me for the working week, the even better news is that Groke Café comes with an admirable mission.
![Groke Cafe](https://www.exposedmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/groke-cafe-2-900.jpg)
The brainchild of coffee industry veteran Tom Stentiford, Groke isn’t just another trendy spot for a flat white. It’s a café built on a foundation of sustainability, transparency, and ethical employment – one that hopes to reshape the way hospitality works from the inside out.
“I’ve been working in coffee for over 10 years,” says Tom. “It’s a great job for travelling around, and I’ve met a lot of people coming up through the industry. But you can’t really go from being a barista to a manager to an owner – there’s a big gap there. The owners tend to come from the banking or investment world or have rich parents, and you just don’t get the chance to work your way up. That’s always annoyed me.”
![Groke Cafe](https://www.exposedmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/groke-cafe-3-900.jpg)
With this in mind, Tom is very open that the reason he has been able to afford to open his own place is thanks to investment from his dad. Very aware of his own privilege, Tom is determined to use it to break that cycle.
His vision for Groke is one where employees are given the opportunity to grow within the business, not just work for it. “We’re trying to work out a pay scale where, if we hit targets, wages will be tied to revenue. If the business does better, the staff do better. There’s nothing worse than being understaffed, doing a massive day, knowing you’re bringing in loads of money, and still getting exactly the same pay. We’re going to be completely transparent about all of it.”
![Groke Cafe](https://www.exposedmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/groke-cafe-1-900.jpg)
That transparency extends beyond pay. Groke is committed to an open-book policy where employees know what costs are, what revenue looks like, and where the money goes. “I don’t understand why café owners don’t share information,” Tom continues. “Surely, if we were all together, we could make things better.”
It’s no accident that Tom chose Kelham Island as Groke’s home. “There’s already an independent community spirit here. We’ve got KINCA doing great work, Fat Cat has stayed independent the whole time. I never want to open a shop on the same street as a Subway or a McDonald’s, and I can’t see that happening here yet.”
![](https://www.exposedmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/groke-cafe-8-900.jpg)
But community focus goes beyond just location. Groke is working on partnerships with organisations that support those who face employment barriers. “We’ve got some plans to try and get young people who need a bit of help into work experience that’s paid decently,” Tom explains. “We’re looking to work alongside ethical local projects wherever possible, maybe giving them some retail space, and we’re always on the lookout for other ways to help.”
The café’s name, Groke, comes from an old Scots word that means to stare at someone while they are eating, in the hope that they will share their food. To ensure that level of food envy, the café will boast a food and drink offering built around sustainability, and a commitment to sourcing locally and seasonally.
![Groke Cafe](https://www.exposedmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/groke-cafe-7-900-686x1024.jpg)
“We won’t have avocados,” Tom says firmly. “You won’t find out-of-season fruits and vegetables here. No strawberries on Valentine’s Day. We’ll have apples and pears, and we’ll go with the seasons.”
For their house coffee, the café is partnering with ethical suppliers Extract Coffee Roasters. “I’ve worked with Extract on and off for ten years. They’ve got a very good, transparent, sustainable route from farm to us. They were one of the first B Corp-certified roasters in the UK, and I’ve always had massive respect for how they do things.”
![Groke Cafe](https://www.exposedmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/groke-cafe-5-900-686x1024.jpg)
On the menu, expect an Antipodean-style brunch offering (though Tom laughs that his chef isn’t a fan of the term). “We want to avoid the worst bits of brunch culture while keeping it exciting. We’re talking seasonal mushrooms from Seven Mushrooms, beetroot gnocchi, and gluten-free chicken and waffles. And eventually, we’ll have focaccia sandwiches and seasonal cheese toasties.”
As for drinks, there are plans to experiment with alcohol – but in a way that aligns with Groke’s ethos. “We’re not doing bottomless brunch. We might have craft beers from local brewers, and I’m interested in coffee-based cocktails aimed at flavour and culture rather than just getting people drunk.”
![Groke Cafe](https://www.exposedmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/groke-cafe-6-900.jpg)
A key part of Groke’s philosophy is adaptability. “If the community don’t want what we’re doing, we’ll do something else,” Tom says. “If they want me to sell plants, I’ll sell plants. If they want me to stock gluten-free dry pasta, I’ll do that. It’s about being what Kelham needs.”
That open-minded approach extends to the café’s opening hours. “We’re starting with an 8am to 4:30pm schedule, but if the locals want coffee at 6am, we’ll open at 6am. We’ve also had feedback that people want a space that stays open late without alcohol being the focus, so we’re thinking about that. We’re open to board game nights, talks with local growers, and community groups using the space. Evenings are free for now, so we’ll see what happens.”
![Groke Cafe](https://www.exposedmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/groke-cafe-4-900-686x1024.jpg)
With a soft launch on 8 February and an official opening on 11 February, Groke is gearing up to bring a fresh take on ethical business to Kelham Island. “Not everything will be perfect straight away,” Tom admits. “We did everything ourselves, so there are paint splodges on the floor, and not everything is straight. But it’s safe, it’s clean, and the coffee will be damn good.”
And with a philosophy that puts people and community at its heart, Groke is set to be a welcome addition to Kelham (and my walk to work!).