Costa Coffee — Restaurant in Wales

In terms of service, staff are generally polite, service is usually very quick and haven't personally had any issues with my orders recently (can't comment on the food though).

Just over a year ago, this always felt like a friendly and welcoming store. However, over the last year, there have been numerous changes for the worse.

Like a previous reviewers have mentioned, WiFi hasn't been available at this store for many months now. Considering this Costa store is in a bit of a mobile-signal dead zone, the lack of WiFi for this length of time is really unhelpful (and it looks like there are no plans for it to be re-instated).

Again, like a previous reviewers mentioned, there's not as much of a welcoming atmosphere these days. More than an hour before closing: part of the front section of the store completely closed off (blocked off by chairs and stools), and all the tables in the rear part were occupied by upturned chairs (implying the area was closed off).

Yes, to be fair, the floor was well cleaned, which is always appreciated. But the continued presence of upturned chairs on tables long after the floor has dried is hardly a welcoming atmosphere, especially considering the long period still to go before the building would be closed.

Although there are 2 toilets in store, only 1 is available for customer use (the disabled one). The other is inexplicably and perpetually locked: like the WiFi, this has been the situation for many months. Again, not really welcoming.

The reduction in opening hours over the last year has been noticeable, too.

All in all, there's a lot of niggly things that have been going on over the last year or so that, when added up, do not do any favours for this particular store, makes it feel as though the top-bod in charge couldn't give a hoot about customer comforts (or attracting continued custom), and honestly makes me feel like this store is slowly being run-down on purpose....

Visited in the evening 3 times this week before the advertised closure time of 10pm. On all occasions, the place was closed and unlit despite a notice saying the drive thru was open. It wasn't. Tried again this morning at 6.45am, and there was no sit-down service. There wasnt anyreason given for the closure or availability of services. Would have given zero points if allowed. From previous visits, I recommend they repair the furniture.

5/11 Place is open after closing for a few days after a makeover. Seems more spacious with a few of the big tables and a seating bank gone. Refurbished seats and other changes, but it has somehow lost a bit of its identity. Can't put my finger on it, but I'll visit a few more times to decide whether I like it or not. Service today was good, and the coffee was as comforting as ever. Upped my earlier one star to three to reflect the changes.

15/10/22. Minutes after 8pm, I called at this Costa Coffee. I'd already Googled the opening times, and I should have been ok until 9 pm. Photo added. Drive through closed and shop door locked. Starbucks won my custom again.

17/1/24. Popped in today to find the opening hours yet again reduced and the coffee still expensive. There seems to be a high turnover of staff, too. I'm getting to the point where I seldom go there now unless I'm shopping local. I am gasping.

20/2/24

Arrived at 8.30pm, they close at 9pm and I just needed a coffee and a sit down, even for 30 mins. Asked for a Skinny (Wet) Latte and said I was sitting in. I was served with a takeaway cup with lots of foam (?). No Internet has been available there over the last few days (see photo).

Turnover of staff is very frequent in this outlet and tonight they didn't seem very happy. Maybe it's the outlet, maybe not, but previous staff have seemed happier. 9pm now, so I'm off home, but I was wished good night by a staff member 👌. ...

Haven't had a costa for a while, so thought I'd treat myself I didn't mind the queue, I asked for a toffee hot chocolate, I was informed that they don't do that, okay I thought, after 30 seconds he came back and said we can do caramel, I said okay I'll have that again silence, "so would you a carmel hot chocolate" I'd already said yes, but I politely sad yes again. When I get to the window to pay I got asked to confirm my order which I did, I them had the card reader stuck through the kiosk window at me, I presented my phone to be scanned (it didn't scan, I realized when I got home) then the card reader was pushed out the window again, I wanted to pay cash, I had some cardboard cups placed on the service tray so I could put my money in, she disappeared came back with my hot chocolate popped my change in the cup and passed them out, I left a tip and was asked don't you want your change, both staff members didn't really deserve a tip as they weren't friendly polite or even smiled even though we may not see your face or your wearing a mask people can hear a smile in your voice and in your eyes, it's one on one...