A MAJOR coffee chain with 2,000 branches is set to shut a “delightful haven” of a store in DAYS.
Costa Coffee confirmed customers will have to wave goodbye to another one of its cafes on May 27.
The popular branch in Uppingham is set to pull its shutters down permanently amid a string of coffee chain closures.
However, fans will still be able to get their beloved caffeine hit at other nearby branches, including the one at Lands End Way, Oakham.
A Costa Coffee spokesperson said: “I can confirm that Monday 27th May will be the last day of trade at our Uppingham store.”
They added that staff at the branch would be relocated to other sites.
“Customers will be able to continue to enjoy their favourite Costa Coffee at our nearest store in Lands End Way, Oakham.”
To find your nearest store or Costa Express machine, you can visit the chain’s website.
The Uppingham store will be missed by devoted locals who dubbed the cosy coffee shop a “delightful haven”.
One penned: “Costa Coffee in Uppingham is a delightful haven for coffee enthusiasts like me.
“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!”
While another wrote: “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.”
A third commented: “Fantastic Costa, friendly staff, quick service…clean…great coffee.”
It comes after Costa shut down three of their shops in the past month.
A branch on Chiswick High Road bit the dust on February 6 while the Costa Coffee on Edinburgh’s Bruntsfield Place served its last latte on February 14.
Erdington’s store, in Birmingham, met the same fate on March 3.
However, it is not all bad news for fans as the popular chain launched a dozen new branches and drive-thrus over the past year.
A Costa Coffee Spokesperson said: “As the Nation’s Favourite Coffee Shop, with over 2,700 Costa Coffee stores across the UK&I we regularly review our store estate.
“We invest heavily in opening new stores, relocating stores and investing in store designs to ensure they are right for the customers and communities they serve.
“Our significant store investment programmes have a positive impact on local economies and communities, creating additional job opportunities whilst enhancing the coffee shop experience for customers.”
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
The high street has seen a whole raft of closures over the past year, and more are coming.
The number of jobs lost in British retail dropped last year, but 120,000 people still lost their employment, figures have suggested.
Figures from the Centre for Retail Research revealed that 10,494 shops closed for the last time during 2023, and 119,405 jobs were lost in the sector.
It was fewer shops than had been lost for several years, and a reduction from 151,641 jobs lost in 2022.
The centre’s director, Professor Joshua Bamfield, said the improvement is “less bad” than good.
Although there were some big-name losses from the high street, including Wilko, many large companies had already gone bust before 2022, the centre said, such as Topshop owner Arcadia, Jessops and Debenhams.
“The cost-of-living crisis, inflation and increases in interest rates have led many consumers to tighten their belts, reducing retail spend,” Prof Bamfield said.
“Retailers themselves have suffered increasing energy and occupancy costs, staff shortages and falling demand that have made rebuilding profits after extensive store closures during the pandemic exceptionally difficult.”
Alongside Wilko, which employed around 12,000 people when it collapsed, 2023’s biggest failures included UK Flooring Direct, Planet Organic and Tile Giant.
The Centre for Retail Research said most stores were closed because companies were trying to reorganise and cut costs rather than the business failing.
However, experts have warned there will likely be more failures this year as consumers keep their belts tight and borrowing costs soar for businesses.
Last year, around 14% of insolvencies were in retail businesses, according to official figures.
