Coffee giant Starbucks has finally opened its store in Nantwich town centre.
The company has spent many months converting the former WHSmith store on High Street into the new Starbucks.
It opened at 7am today (February 13th) with an official ribbon cutting ceremony with the team from St Luke’s Hospice and the town crier at 10am.
Store manager Lucie Evans has moved from Middlewich to take up the new role. The shop has taken on eight staff in total.
Lucie said: “I know that there is a lot of uncertainty about Starbucks opening.
“However, this has been and will be an amazing opportunity for myself and my team who have been working very hard to get this store up and running.
“We are having a give away of reusable cups for the first 100 customers as we are always working to improve our ecological footprint.
“When I was first introduced to Starbucks at 13, I never knew how much a company could do for the coffee industry, the beauty of a cup of coffee is that it takes everyone working together to make it happen.
“From the farmers growing the plants to the scientists working to innovate the coffee industry all the way to our amazing baristas at Starbucks Nantwich to make the final connection between a cup of coffee and the community.
“Coffee is an amazing thing that brings people together which is my mission in this store. I’m very excited to meet you all.”
Not everyone has welcomed another coffee giant to the town, which already has international brands like Costa Coffee and Cafe Nero.
Some have posted concerns about the impact on smaller independent outlets.
Enzo, which is opposite the new Starbucks, said: “When a big chain opens across the road, with the added privilege of not paying any tax, it’s scary for us small independents.
“But then I remind myself what makes a coffee shop special. It’s when they know your name when you walk through the door. They know your order before you have to say it.
“They hold your wriggling baby so you can eat and enjoy your coffee while it’s hot. We celebrate birthdays and other milestones with you, and sit with you and listen if things aren’t going your way. Friendships are formed.
“We don’t have million pound marketing budgets but we have heart, and community and people that make our coffee shops places people want to be.
“So whether it’s Enzo, or Edwards Deli and Wine, Toast Haus Nantwich, Nantwich Bookshop and Coffee Lounge, Doug’s Deli & Sandwiches, Moss the Cafe – whatever your go to independent is, support them now more than ever.”
And what about the people that have been employed and now have a job, income and career,
WOW, who would have thought a coffee would cause so much contention. To have a coffee nowadays is so expensive. Went into a coffee shop in Hanley (not most welcoming place on a very cold and rainy day) and it cost £7.90 for two regular coffees, with discount. Outrageous.
Done a great renovation of the building!
The customer is always right , let battle commence
When there is so much choice for excellent coffee in Nantwich why on earth would anyone give their money to the tax evading corporations? Support local businesses, not the soulless corporations.
won’t bother I prefer the gin place in Pepper street or the swimming pool bistro for coffee, great craic and warm welcome, great staff, no air heads not using my taxed paid dosh to support non tax paying companies
Choose your coffee of choice with wisdom…
Starbucks and Costa are both owned by American companies, the former, arguably helped create the coffee/take away culture. Nero is owned by private equity, HQ based in London. It’s a wonderful to see new jobs being created in Nantwich. Local independent coffee houses in Nantwich offer excellence service and value, they also know the local market; add to this the “owners” creativity to innovate their customer offering I am positive that their customers will remain loyal . For sure I will, Moss cafe is fabulous .