'Worst kept secret' is out as former Nottingham bank to be transformed into café with a difference

A new coffee shop with a difference is opening in Nottingham. Public, which has branches in Loughborough and Mountsorrel, is crossing the border to launch its first café outside Leicestershire.

If it's anything like those shops it will not only have good coffee and croissants, it will also have a 'jungle' of house plants that you can buy. Public will be opening in a former TSB in Low Pavement, which shut down in May 2021. Conversion work is currently underway.

They announced: "Our worst kept secret is finally out. Public is coming to Nottingham. Get ready for good coffee, our signature sourdough, flaky croissants and you best believe we’re bringing the Nutella with us! You know how we feel about cool buildings so turning a bank into a coffee shop is our idea of heaven. We can’t wait to share our progress so far and bring Public to Nottingham."

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With it being a listed building, they have had to think outside the box on the design. "The huge windows bring an amazing light into the building, enhancing the pillar and ceiling detail - this contrasted with the earthy toned tiles of our counter creates the perfect coffee shop atmosphere."

The Great Food Club described the Loughborough shop as "a public, communal space where people congregate to chat, work and enjoy a coffee. Based in the old arts college, this open space has an artsy feel (befitting its location) with mismatched chairs, mini cacti on the tables and has its own bakery creating beautiful artisan loaves, pastries and other goodies.

"It’s popular with those who work remotely and still like to be in the company of others but at weekends, it’s a no laptop zone and instead, you’ll find families piling in for brunches of waffles, Nutella-stuffed croissants, salmon on sourdough and more. Plants are a big deal with part of the space given over to the ‘jungle’. Here you can browse a great selection of house plants and handmade pots which make perfect gifts. And don’t forget to pick a loaf up before you leave – utterly delicious!"