As an employee of Costa Coffee, I spend more time in the store than the average person and I should be singing Costa's praises, but to be honest… I cant.
As Costa are a large chain, owned by "Whitbread" who own many other chain stores, there has to be underlying standards that are set for all Costa Stores. Even down to the tapes played, the seating used, new promotional offers and the products themselves. This means that when visiting any Costa around the country you know you will get the same standard of services and product.... which many customers find good to know.
As a large organisation, Costa Coffee sells the same coffee in every store.. this is called "Mocha Italia" and is made up of a "secret blend" of different coffee beans from all around the world. This makes the coffee unique to Costa and it is very popular among a lot of people. On the other hand, I know a lot of people who do not like it at all, as it is quite a bitter coffee, with a very strong taste. So as advice, if you have never had Costa Coffee before, make sure you pick up some extra sugar before you drink! ;)
Personally, I do not see the interest in Costa's Coffee... Since doing away with the smallest cup in most Costa stores around the country, the new smallest size cup ("normale") of regular black or white Americano coffee is now £1.50. Maybe its just me, and im uncultured, but I would rather spend the money on a jar of instant coffee and drink it at my leisure!
Costa isn’t exactly renowned for decent food. It is mostly very over priced average standard food, but I do not think this is unusual for this type of Cafe... The sandwiches are £2.49 - £2.99 for a plain packed sandwich... e.g. a prawn sandwich... that doesn’t even come with and sauce!!! Etc. Why pay this when you could go down the road to Boots of M&S and buy the same sandwich for £1.49!?!
Each to their own as they say... but I wouldn’t want to pay to queue for 15 mins, to sit in an overcrowded cafe for coffee and food i could buy else where for a lot cheaper! ;)
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Advantages: It's reasonable, the staff are friendly, there's sofas so you can relax. Disadvantages: There's sometimes a bit of a queque for the sofas as they're so popular.