A MAJOR coffee chain with over 2,000 branches has shocked customers with the abrupt closure of one of its high street stores.
Costa Coffee has brought the shutters down on its Rhyl branch in north east Wales with immediate effect, citing “trade” as the reason for its closure.
The coffeehouse giant said all of its staff have been relocated to another store elsewhere in the town, however, which is located just under a mile away.
A notice on the shop door had been informing passers-by that they can still pick up a drink at a drive-thru site at the Marina Quay Retail Park.
A Costa Coffee spokesperson said: “We can confirm that our Rhyl High Street Costa Coffee store has closed its doors for trade.
“Customers can still enjoy their favourite Costa coffee at our nearby Drive Thru store at the Marina in Rhyl.
“All team members have relocated to this store, and look forward to continuing to serve the local community.”
It’s safe to say local customers have been left disappointed at the decision, with many taking to social media to vent their frustrations.
Reacting to the news on Facebook, one person said: “Everything is closing in the high street. I have lived in Rhyl all my life, when I was a kid every shop was open here.”
A second person added: “It’s another loss to the already diminishing high street.”
A third commented: “They may as well close Rhyl town. Such a shame that it’s gone down, no big stores anymore!”
One person even blamed the “ridiculous parking charges” for impacting business in the town and contributing to the store’s closure.
“Denbighshire council really need to address the ridiculous parking charges before the high street is a ghost town,” they said. “It’s getting that way very quickly now!”
Costa has also announced they are pulling the shutters down on another one of its cafes, which fans have branded a “delightful haven”.
The chain confirmed to The Sun that its branch in Uppingham will be closing on May 27.
Costa has already shut the doors to dozens of its sites in recent months.
Another will be heading the same way in July, however, when its Inverness branch in Scotland ceases trading.
The store is on Inglis Street, right in the city centre of the Highlands city and fans have been left distraught by the loss of the shop.
COSTA has already shut more than a dozen of its stores in 2024 and more are expected to follow.
The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you’ll have one near you.
But Costa says it regularly reviews its store estate across the UK to ensure it’s right for its communities and teams.
This means, however, that stores are subject to closing down or, in some cases, being renovated.
For those who don’t know, here is a full list of stores that have already brought their shutters down for the final time this year.
