A MAJOR coffee chain with more than 2,000 branches is to close another cafe within hours.
Costa Coffee is pulling down the shutters on one of its sites today following a wave of closures.
Getty Images – GettyCosta Coffee is to close another branch within hours to the surprise of customers[/caption]
The high street giant has closed more than half a dozen stores in the last few months.
In the latest blow to the high street, Costa confirmed to The Sun that it is closing its cafe in Church Steeet, Malvern, Worcestershire, today.
Customers looking their next caffeine fix will need to head over to the next closest shop in Roman Way instead.
A spokesperson for Costa said: “The Costa Coffee store on Church Street in Malvern will close for trade on the November 17, 2023.
“Customers can continue to enjoy their favourite Costa coffees in Malvern on Roman Way.”
Coffee lovers took to social media to express their surprise over the decision to close the popular branch.
One fumed: “There will be nothing left for anybody.
“Wilkos, New Look, Boots, Wetherspoons and now Costa, plus so many more have closed. So Sad.”
Another added: “What? No! They have the best sarnies and best hot and cold drinks.”
And a third added: “Another one bites the dust.”
Costa, which has more than 2,000 sites across the UK, has closed the doors on a number of sites this year.
Its shop in the Coliseum retail park in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, closed on June 3.
Back on June 5 its site in Welch Way, Witney, pulled the shutters down, with customers being directed to other nearby stores.
The chain also shut up shop at its Wigan town centre branch on June 25 this year.
In July, Costa in Five Rise shopping centre in Bingley also shut, with coffee lovers being directed to the nearby Keighley branch.
Plus, Costa in West Bridgford, Nottingham, closed on September 22.
More high street closures
Inflation remains stubbornly high meaning households have less expendable cash to burn.
Increased energy and wage costs are piling further pressure on businesses, including those in the hospitality sector.
Ten thousand pubs are at risk of closing if the sector is hit by a £1billion tax blow, hospitality chiefs have warned.
They say one in ten boozers could go out of business if the Chancellor fails to extend business rates relief in his Autumn Statement.
The grim alert comes as The Sun launches a Save Our Sups campaign to protect the great British boozer.
Retailers on the high street have been hit hard too.
Cath Kidston, Paperchase, M&Co and popular discounter Wilko have all crashed into administration this year.
Wilko has since announced plans to return to the high street, with branches in Plymouth, Exeter and Luton set to open within weeks.
On Monday, Paperchase reopened inside 250 Tesco supermarkets in June M&Co relaunched online.
A number of retailers have been opening branches as well as closing them too.
In July, B&M announced plans to open seven new branches in the UK over the following weeks.
Bargain discounter Poundland is taking on former Wilko sites as well.
And The Cornish Bakery said in September it would be looking to open five new stores over the following months.
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