Costa Coffee — Restaurant in Winchester

It's just my opinion, but I fail to understand why large chain coffee shops are so popular, hence this is my first visit ever to the local Costa Coffee shop which is literally a 4 minute walk from my house. The reason for my visit was that I was given a Costa gift card.

I visited on a fairly quiet Sunday afternoon, hence I only had to queue for about 3 minutes until I was served - quite often when I walk past, the queue is out of the door. Even at this time, the shop was bustling and there were very few tables free inside. But what hit me was the noise - it sounded more like a work canteen with the added noise of grinding and frothing, and I actually wondered how Health and Safety didn't result in staff being made to wear noise restricting headphones! When it was my turn to get served, the person who took my order was polite and helpful, and despite the noise got my order correct, but as soon as it was done it was straight onto the next customer and I was shuffled on... there was no time for niceties or personal service which was a shame as I wanted to check the balance on my gift card. At the end of the till line there was a small group who were also awaiting their orders - no queue or structure, it was just find a space and wait, which I did so for about 5 minutes before a server put a single takeaway cup at the front and called out something which was inaudible due to the background noise. I guessed it was mine as I had probably been there the longest, so I approached to verify, but the server had gone off to do something else by then so I had to get her attention to check that it was indeed my Golden Caramel Latte.

So I left after about 10 minutes from entering the shop with a paper cup that was too hot to hold properly (I'm sure that they used to have cardboard sleeves) and returned to my car. I had to wait a further 10 minutes with the lid off before the coffee was at a temperature safe enough to drink. Yes, it did taste good, but I could only taste the caramel syrup and sweetness rather than the coffee. I must admit to being lucky enough to have a decent coffee machine at home which makes far better tasting coffee.

So overall 2 out of 5... This is nothing against the staff... In fact I both admire and feel sorry for them working in such an environment, but rather the atmosphere and production line feel of the outlet and the overall value of the coffee. I just can't understand why people would pay to sit there and meet friends... However I know that these will continue to be successful for some...

I went to Costa on Sunday 2nd February. I was served by middle aged lady. I did not feel welcome there. I went there with my family and dogs, and I think she was not very happy about that even though this place is “dog friendly” . She would not bring me drinks because she said she is on her own but there were other staff there. When I apologised and explained I am deaf she would not make an effort to face me, I received a cold shoulder. Also, my husband's hot chocolate was half full. One of my dog barked and we were asked to leave. The other one is my hearing dog. On top of that I paid for staying in and she made drinks in plastic cups, so she knew before serving us that she will ask us to leave. Very unfriendly atmosphere. I normally go to Starbucks as stuff is lovely there but they were closed due to renovation. I will never visit this place again. What a big...

SO DAMN UNHAPPY DOGS ARE NOW ALLOWED IN. CHANGE THIS RULE YOUR LETTING DOGS sit on the chairs where humans and children sit this should not be allowed because owners do NOT WIPE THE DOGS anus after they pass stools with tissue so reminants of dogs Pooh will be on the costa coffee chairs. Unhygienic. Plus the dog hairs that will now fly around in the atmosphere could land in peoples hot drinks. This is a DIGUSTING ALL ROUND CONCEPT AND NEEDS TO BE DISCONTINUED AS FAST AS IT WAS APPROVED!!!!!!!!! Out of order. I have children that also has asthma and cannot be around pets. This is a very unhygienic and STUPID ALLOWANCE! Get...