COSTA Coffee has been blasted for slapping price rises of up to 13% on popular drinks at NHS outlets.
Patient groups and retail experts have accused the chain of slapping a “hospital tax” on those visiting sick loved ones.
The chain has 94 concessions in UK hospitals.
But a probe has found it has hiked its prices for popular drinks by up to 13% or as much as 45p a pop.
At Costa’s Medirest-run outlet at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, a small latte or cappuccino was £3.30 last year compared to £3.70 today – a hike of 40p or 12%.
While a medium serving of each drink has also increased from £3.45 to £3.90 – a rise of 13% or 45p.
We found the same story repeated at other NHS locations around the country.
It now costs a hefty £3 for a small Americano at Costa’s branch at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex.
That’s a hike of 20p or 7% compared with the £2.80 they charged this time last year.
Similarly, small lattes and cappuccinos have also soared by a whopping 40p or 12% from £3.30 last year to £3.70 today.
Flat whites are also up 45p or 13% from £3.40 last year to £3.85 this April.
In March, Costa was slammed for reducing the number of sausages in their breakfast baps from four to three but keeping the price the same.
Also last month we told how the cafe giant had quietly slapped a 5p hike on its popular pour-it-yourself machine brews meaning some DIY drinks are now almost £4 a pop.
Critics have blasted the rises for taking advantage of vulnerable patients and visitors.
Martyn James, Sun Squeeze Team member and independent consumer champion, said: “There is no excuse whatsoever for charging vulnerable and potentially distressed people more money for food and drink outlets at hospitals.
“Even if these branches are more expensive to run, or the franchise is pricier, that cost can and should be spread across the whole organisation.
“Having a coffee at a hospital might be the only break patients and relatives get from the reality of their situation.
“To overcharge them is absolutely unacceptable.”
Dennis Reed, director Silver Voices, a group representing seniors, said: “The profiteering of these muti-national coffee chains is beyond belief. Over £3 for a cup of water and a couple of coffee beans.
“They know that patients and relatives are a captive audience and are probably in dire need of refreshments.
“They should be offering cut prices for the NHS, and the hospital managers should be doing more to conclude contracts which are favourable to the patient.”
Costa Coffee told The Sun it works with several partners to deliver Costa Coffee in different environments, including hospitals.
They added: “Our partners set their pricing and it is not uncommon to find that some Costa Coffee products are priced higher, reflecting the unique locations and operating costs associated with those locations.
“On average a Costa Coffee store in a hospital will charge approximately 3% more for a crafted drink.
“We regularly review prices with our partners to ensure they remain competitive in the relevant retail environment, offering quality and value.”
THERE are ways to get your caffeine fix for less on the high street,
Octopus Energy customers can get a free Greggs hot drinks once a week if they’re signed up to its Octoplus scheme.
You just have to download a code off the loyalty scheme app and scan it in-store to claim the freebie.
Meanwhile, retailers Ikea and Waitrose both offer loyalty scheme customers free hot drinks.
Waitrose customers have to sign up to its myWaitrose scheme first, then buy an item in-store to claim the freebie.
Plus, you can only get free americanos, cappuccinos, lattes or teas.
Ikea customers signed up to its Ikea Family scheme can get free hot drinks between Monday and Friday.
Both retailers’ loyalty schemes can be downloaded on to your smart phone via Google Play or the Apple App Store.
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