Costa Coffee

[Gill H]

As this has turned into a Barry thread - have you been to Hang Fire? Hoping to go before the lockdown!

[ERICSMUM]

Originally Posted by scooby99

Surprised if people are or continue going to the likes of Costa, Starbucks & Caffè Nero in the larger towns & cities.

Pret now seems to be the coffee shop of choice since their Barista subscription launched.

Everyone in the queue has their phone out to scan their Pret code; a barista told us the other day that hardly anyone ‘pays’ for their drinks in Pret now.

Up to 5 coffees of any type, teas, iced drinks or frappes a day (30 minutes between each drink) every day for £20 per month with the first month free; I imagine many now walk past Costa or Starbucks to visit Pret instead; we do!

I do realise that living in London, we are spoiled with the number of Prets (& others).

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We have one Pret but it's in the town centre and not convenient to pop in unless you're shopping in town anyway. Most Costas are in retail parks.

[disney_l81]

Originally Posted by Gill H

As this has turned into a Barry thread - have you been to Hang Fire? Hoping to go before the lockdown!

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Oh definitely- it's one of our faves. They are going to doing take away soon too-cannot wait

[ely3857]

Originally Posted by ERICSMUM

We have one Pret but it's in the town centre and not convenient to pop in unless you're shopping in town anyway. Most Costas are in retail parks.

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You can’t swing a cat in Leeds without hitting a Costa or Starbucks but Pret are few and far between. I know of two in the city centre but that’s it.

I have a fondness for Pret though as I got a takeaway drink about 18m ago and they gave my kids their hot chocolates for free which was very very kind.

[scooby99]

Originally Posted by ely3857

You can’t swing a cat in Leeds without hitting a Costa or Starbucks but Pret are few and far between. I know of two in the city centre but that’s it.

I have a fondness for Pret though as I got a takeaway drink about 18m ago and they gave my kids their hot chocolates for free which was very very kind.

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I know we’re lucky in London to have so many Prets & Costas & Starbucks & Caffè Nero’s & Gails & Ole and Steen & Joe and the Juice & indies... you get the picture 😃

Pret are known for freebies; I understand that each branch is given a “random acts of kindness” budget.
Staff can give free drinks or food to any customer for any reason; to cheer a sad looking customer up, because the customer was nice & friendly, because the customer is a regular; there aren’t any rules; their staff can make the decision for any reason.
I’ve had free hot drinks, pastries & sandwiches during my long standing patronage of Pret; my husband too & have also seen it with other customers at the till.

[TheHughesCrew]

Originally Posted by ERICSMUM

Chelmer retail park, but 11.30 ish. I've given up on the one near Dunelm after the "manageress" was rude to me a few weeks ago ! I'll have to work my way through the rest now and then go on to Starbucks !

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Is the coffee shop in Dunelm still open? That used to be nice.

Any time you're over Beaulieu way, Coffee Squared is a fabulous independent 👍🏻

Hope you get a good response from Head Office...

[JAF]

Originally Posted by scooby99

I know we’re lucky in London to have so many Prets & Costas & Starbucks & Caffè Nero’s & Gails & Ole and Steen & Joe and the Juice & indies... you get the picture 😃

Pret are known for freebies; I understand that each branch is given a “random acts of kindness” budget.
Staff can give free drinks or food to any customer for any reason; to cheer a sad looking customer up, because the customer was nice & friendly, because the customer is a regular; there aren’t any rules; their staff can make the decision for any reason.
I’ve had free hot drinks, pastries & sandwiches during my long standing patronage of Pret; my husband too & have also seen it with other customers at the till.

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I was fortunate enough when up in London to be given a free coffee at one of Pret’s branches somewhere round the back of Regent Street. It was lateish in the day and I was tired but still smiled and was polite and friendly to the server so guess he just took pity on me. It certainly cheered me up.

[ely3857]

Originally Posted by scooby99

I know we’re lucky in London to have so many Prets & Costas & Starbucks & Caffè Nero’s & Gails & Ole and Steen & Joe and the Juice & indies... you get the picture 😃

Pret are known for freebies; I understand that each branch is given a “random acts of kindness” budget.
Staff can give free drinks or food to any customer for any reason; to cheer a sad looking customer up, because the customer was nice & friendly, because the customer is a regular; there aren’t any rules; their staff can make the decision for any reason.
I’ve had free hot drinks, pastries & sandwiches during my long standing patronage of Pret; my husband too & have also seen it with other customers at the till.

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Aww that’s great. It was Feb half term and very cold so their red cheeks and woolly hats probably convinced the staff!

[Gill H]

Originally Posted by disney_l81

Oh definitely- it's one of our faves. They are going to doing take away soon too-cannot wait

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Just been to Tokyo Nights. Some of the best gyoza I have ever eaten and gorgeous katsu curry. Worth trudging through the rain for.