I am fed up going to different Costa stores and finding so many different prices for the same product.

"Oh we are a franchise and can charge what we like" - said the manager at the Wellingbrough drive through where a Flat White costs £4.15. That is dearer than any Costa in London. And 30p dearer than my local Costa in Sudbury town centre.

The fact Costa HQ has lost all control over its pricing structure shows why people are going to other coffee shops.

STAFF TRAINING: the quality of your staff now is appalling. Few can't make drinks properly; some are plainj rude and don't "give a shit" because they know they are there for just a few weeks filling in between other jobs.

No career structure at all.

Staff believe they have no real future with Coca Cola stating Costa is losing money, closing stores and about to sell the business - probably to ASDA.

Staff morale is very very low.

Constant price hikes: Against major High Street competitors and independents Costa has forced up prices unreasonably, another reason why customers are going elsewhere. I use coffee shops in various European countries regularly and (other than Switzerland) prices are MUCH lower for a similar product with the same volume of milk. In Italy I pay £1.20 for a latte. Yes £1.20.

The brand has lost authenticity - no longer does it stand for quality, difference, price efficient. Your senior staff should actually get off their bums and listen to what customers are sayhing about Costa - it is usually very negative.

Dogs or no dogs. No clear policy across the Costa estate.

I have been a daily Costa customer for years, as my loyalty card shows.

BUT NO MORE.

I am fed up with higher and higher prices, really poor quality staff and a very average offering compared to others who are more inventive.


GOODBYE COSTA