10 Years of Passion, 1 Family-Run Business.
I’m Freddie Hewett, and along with my wife, Serena, we founded Stag to be more than just a coffee shop—we wanted it to be the heart of our community. While we’ve grown over the last decade, we remain a true family business at our core.
You’ll often find our two children around the shop during the holidays, reminding us every day why we do what we do: to create a warm, welcoming space that feels like home for every guest who walks through our doors.
The Timeline
2016 | The Beginning
Stag Coffee opens its doors in Ashford. A small team with a big vision: to bring specialty coffee and honest, local food to the high street.
2019 | Expanding the Vision
We brought our passion to the heart of Canterbury. Opening Stag Coffee & Kitchen in the Marlowe Arcade allowed us to elevate our food game and become a staple for the city's brunch lovers.
2020–2022 | Leading through the Pivot
When the world stopped, we didn't. We launched our grocery delivery service to keep the community fed. During this time, Freddie was invited as a 3x Guest Expert for QuickBooks, sharing our business resilience strategies with an international audience.
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2023 | The Ultimate Brunch Destination
We officially launched our Bottomless Brunch, which quickly became legendary in Canterbury. By combining high-quality, homemade food with fresh cocktails, we redefined the "boozy brunch."
2024–2025 | Scaling for Success
Our kitchen's reputation grew beyond our four walls. We secured major catering contracts with Concorde International Language School, proving that STAG’s commitment to quality could scale to feed hundreds of students and faculty without losing our "homemade" soul.
2026 | STAG: The Evolution
Today, we are simply STAG. More than a coffee shop, we are a kitchen, a cocktail bar, and a community hub—constantly evolving, but always family-run.
Leading the Castle Quarter
My commitment to Canterbury goes beyond the walls of our kitchen. As the Chairperson of the Canterbury Castle Quarter, I lead a passionate community of business owners and residents dedicated to making our historic district a world-class destination.
I believe in action over talk. Recently, I had the honour of organizing Canterbury’s first-ever Dog Show right here in the Quarter. The event was a massive success, bringing over 500 visitors to our streets, hosting the Mayor and Mayoress, and raising vital support for our charity partner, Lord Whiskey Sanctuary.
I’ve only just begun this journey as Chairman, but I have a bold vision for the area. We are currently developing a series of exciting events and initiatives designed to drive local footfall, support our independent shops, and celebrate the unique spirit of the Castle Quarter.
We Only Serve What We Love.
At STAG, we don't just source ingredients; we build relationships. We believe that a great meal starts with local integrity, which is why we only serve what we truly love.
Our menu is a curated map of the best producers in Kent. We trust Salvatori Butchers in Wincheap for our premium meats, Chilham Egg Farm for our farm-fresh, free-range eggs, and the award-winning Bean Smitten for the coffee beans that fuel our mornings.
When it comes to the bar, we keep it local with Biddenden cider and apple juice, crisp beers from Curious Brewery, and the exceptional Eve Vodka from Dover.
A Hub for the Community
Our space belongs to Canterbury. Beyond the food, we celebrate local talent with a six-weekly art rotation and our free Open Mic Comedy Nights every Wednesday.
We are also proud to be a supportive space for families. On the second Wednesday morning of every month, we host a dedicated Breastfeeding Clinic, providing a comfortable and welcoming environment for new parents.
Freddie & The STAG Team
