Costa Coffee closes all shops due to coronavirus epidemic
COSTA Coffee has become the latest food chain to close its doors due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The coffee shop says it's temporarily shutting all of its 2,700 stores from 5pm this evening (March 23).
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It adds that it will, however, "do its best" to keep stores open in hospitals, where NHS staff can continue to get free takeaway coffee for the next two weeks, as well as in service stations .
In addition, it will deliver 1million cans of coffee to other key workers across the country - The Sun has asked if these will be free and we'll update this story as soon as we get a response.
Self-serve Costa Express machines will also still be available "where possible".
The chain says it will continue to pay its 16,000 staff their full average weekly pay over eight weeks.
We have asked what will happen if stores remain shut for longer than eight weeks and we'll update this story when we have a response.
Which brands are shutting up shop?
HERE is the list of all the retailers that have said they are closing their doors thanks to coronavirus:
- Boden - closing all stores
- Burton - closing all stores
- Calvin Klein - closing all stores
- Clarks - closing all stores
- Costa - closing all stores but will try to keep shops in hospitals open
- Dorothy Perkins - closing all stores
- Evans - closing all stores
- Fenwick - closing all stores
- H&M - closing all stores
- HMV - closing all stores
- IKEA - closing all stores
- John Lewis - closing all stores
- McDonald's - closing all stores
- Miss Selfridge - closing all stores
- Nando's - closing all stores
- Oxfam - closing all stores
- Patisserie Valerie - closing all stores
- Starbucks - closing all stores
- Sweaty Betty - closing all stores
- Timpson - closing all stores
- TK Maxx - closing all stores
- Topshop - closing all stores
- Wallis - closing all stores
In a statement, Jill McDonald, chief executive of Costa said: "I want to take this opportunity to thank our store teams, who during a lot of uncertainty over the past few weeks have continued to provide a warm and welcoming environment, and great service to our loyal customers.
"To our customers, thank you for your ongoing support - we know these are difficult and unsettling times and through our community work we hope to be able to continue serving you, and your friends and families in some way.
"I will continue to be in touch over the coming weeks and look forward to welcoming you back into our stores soon.
"Thank you and take care."
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More on coronavirus
Cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants were told to close by the end of the day on Friday (March 20) by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to help tackle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
These businesses will still be allowed to serve takeaways.
It comes as McDonald's and Nando's have closed their doors to the public.
Pret a Manger and Starbucks are also temporarily closing all UK stores due to coronavirus.