‘Another property will sit empty’ cry fans as coffee chain with 2,000 branches shuts shop doors after string of closures
A MAJOR coffee chain with 2,000 branches is set to shut down another shop after a string of closures.
Costa Coffee has ground its last bean in the village of Rottingdean, Brighton and Hove.
The coffee shop caused controversy when it first opened in 2017.
Many villagers were concerned about how it would impact parking in the area and other independent businesses.
However caffeine giant has now decided not to renew its seven-year lease.
And locals took to social media to give their reactions to the news.
One said: “That is good news for small independent places. Get rid of the chains.”
Another commented: “I went to the new coffee shop on the corner. For takeaway coffee after my run. It was lovely.”
A third wrote: “There are loads of places to grab a coffee in Rottingdean. This is good news for other small businesses.”
A fourth added: “I think it’s a shame it’s shut.”
A Costa Coffee spokesperson told The Sun: “We can confirm that our Costa Coffee store in Rottingdean has closed.
“Local customers can find their nearest Costa Coffee store or Costa Express machine here.”
The chain has already shut the doors to dozens of its sites in recent months.
Costa says it regularly reviews its store estate across the UK to ensure it’s right for its communities and teams.
This can include the closing or renovation of existing stores, or the opening of new stores.
Which Costa Coffee shops have closed?
The following sites have already closed over the last year, although a couple will be returning to their local areas.
Each of the sites which have closed have further Costas nearby, which you can find using the locator tool on the chain’s website.
Here are the Costa shops which have closed in 2023:
- Coliseum retail park in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire – June 3
- Welch Way, Witney – June 5,
- Wigan town centre – June 25
- Five Rise shopping centre, Bingley – July 9
- High Street, Worcester – July (relocated September 15)
- Lowestoft’s North Quay retail park – July 23 (refurbishment)
- Church Street, Oakham – September 15
- West Bridgford, near Nottingham – September 22
- Commercial Street, Newport, Wales – October
- Church Street in Malvern, near Worcestershire – November 17
- Gatwick Airport South Terminal – November
The following branches closed, or are set to close this year:
- Packhorse Road, Buckinghamshire – January 10
- King Street, Maidstone, Kent – January 20
- Chiswick High Road, London – February 6
- Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh – February 15
Which other food and drink chains have closed?
Food and drink chains in general have been suffering in recent months as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
In early 2023, burger chain Byron Burger collapsed into administration resulting in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Prezzo, the Italian chain, also revealed plans to shut 46 restaurants last year as a result of soaring energy and food costs, putting 810 jobs at risk.
Although some chains have managed to persevere, like Greggs which announced huge expansion plans.
Bakery chains Wenzel’s the Bakers and Patisserie Valerie are also looking at opening new branches.
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