COSTA has announced it will close its coffee shop in Leigh Broadway, with business bosses and residents insisting residents prefer to support smaller firms and get their caffeine hit from the town’s independent cafes.

The store will shut in October at the same time as the lease on the site ends, and workers will be offered jobs at other Costa shops in the area.

The firm added that there are no plans to open another branch in the area.

Sara Welton, 65, owner of Sara’s Tea Garden in Old Leigh said: “I think people do prefer the independent businesses and coffee shops and people like to support these smaller businesses.

“I would have thought a lot of people feel and think this way, why have a chain like this when we have so many other independent and smaller firms here.

“I think given the choice people would support our smaller and independent businesses.

Leases are expensive so maybe Costa feels it’s not worth renewing it.

“I do not use it so the closure will not affect me at all and I won’t be sad about it closing down.”

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Mrs Welton added that she thinks there will be a small number of people who will be sad about it closing but she feels a lot of people will think the Broadway has so many other businesses on offer that Costa will not be missed.

The chain has coffee shops in Prittlewell Chase, Southend, and Southend High Street.

Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for culture and tourism, said: “When it first opened there was a reaction and people didn’t necessary want chains like in this part of Leigh.

“It always seemed busy to me and I do go there, but I also use other independent businesses too. Hopefully something goes there that fits in with the area.”

A spokesman for Costa Coffee said: “We can confirm that the Costa Coffee store situated at The Broadway in Leigh will be closing in late October 2022 due to the lease ending with the landlord.

“There’s no current plans to open a separate Costa Coffee store in the area and team members will be offered alternative positions at other stores in the area. We will be able to provide further information on this store closure in due course.”