Costa Coffee has been a staple on British high streets since 1971 when the first roastery was established in Lambeth, London.
Since then the cafe chain has expanded worldwide but remains a go-to for many Britons seeking a caffeine fix.
With more than 2,600 branches in the UK, there’s a high chance most people will live near a Costa Coffee, including locals in Uppingham, Rutland.
However, residents who frequent the town centre site will soon bid farewell to it after the chain confirmed that it would close.
The High Street West cafe, in Uppingham, will close its doors for good in just months.
A spokesperson for Costa Coffee said: “We can confirm that our Costa Coffee store on High Street West, Uppingham, will be closing its doors for trade in May. All team members will be re-deployed to other stores.”
It follows the loss of several stores already this year, including two in February and one earlier this month.
The news of the Uppingham branch closing has shocked locals who saw the nearby site in Oakham shut two years ago.
Customers who frequent the cafe have left raving reviews on Google in the past, with one person branding it a “delightful haven for coffee enthusiasts”.
They wrote: “The warm and inviting atmosphere, coupled with consistently excellent coffee, ensures a top-notch experience. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, making each visit a pleasure. I wholeheartedly recommend this branch for your caffeine cravings!”
Another chimed: “It’s one of the most comfortable places I can go for coffee. The staff are so welcoming and I’d recommend anyone to go. They know mine and my partners regular drink and so when we walk in they usually know what we have.”
As well as being a social hub for nearby coffee fans, the cafe is a registered venue for The Chatty Cafe Scheme, which invites people to join a “chatty table session” Monday to Thursday between 10am and 4pm.
While the cafe closure marks a sad loss for Uppingham residents, it’s not all bad news for fans of the coffee brand.
Oakham will still have the Costa Drive Thru, which opened on Lands’ End Way in September 2022. Costa says it regularly reviews its store estate across the UK to ensure it’s right for its communities.
Costa Coffee branches that have closed this year
- Chiswick High Road, London, February 6
- Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, February 14
- Erdington High Street branch in Birmingham, March 1
