Starbucks has confirmed the UK stores that have closed and explained the reasons behind the move. Starbucks first opened in the UK in 1998 when it started serving customers in London. The American coffee chain has since grown into a high street staple with stores in many towns and cities across the country, with 520 cafes in total. However, the number has reduced as some of its stores were marked for closure.
The coffee giant has already closed some of its UK stores in major towns and cities. Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee chains in the UK, among those with the most stores nationwide. It is beaten to the punch only by Costa Coffee and Greggs. Despite Starbucks’ recent closures, the chain has said it plans to open 80 more stores across the UK, as well as more across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Starbucks operates more than 32,000 stores in more than 80 countries across the globe, originating in the US.
A statement from the company about the closures reads: “As outlined in a letter shared by Brian Niccol (chief executive), we have conducted a review of our coffeehouse portfolio in North America and certain stores have been identified for closure where it has not been possible to create the physical environment customers and partners (employees) want, and where there isn’t a path to financial performance.
“In Europe Middle East and Africa, we have conducted a similar review of our company-operated store portfolio with the goal of ensuring that our stores are correctly located, generating appropriate levels of foot traffic and operating in the right formats.
“While the EMEA business is on track to meet its commitment to open 80 new stores in the UK and 150 across EMEA this financial year, some stores in the UK, Switzerland and Austria will close as a result of this portfolio review.”
The UK Starbucks stores that have recently closed are:
- Ilford, London (225-227 High Road) – closed on Thursday, October 2
- Brunel Retail Park, Whitley – closed on Wednesday, October 16
- Leyton Mills Retail Park, London – closed on Sunday, October 19
- London Bridge Station – closed on Monday, October 20
- Balham, London – closing Sunday, October 26
- Exchange Place, Glasgow – closing Sunday, October 26
- Kings Lynn, Norfolk – closing Sunday, October 26
- Muswell Hill Broadway, London – closing Sunday, October 26
- Holburn Junction, Aberdeen – closing Sunday, October 26
- Holland Park, London – closing Sunday, October 26
