Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

£3.75 for a coffee

127 replies

CoffeePricing · 26/04/2023 09:58

Just a flat white, is this normal? I live I the countryside, mostly WFH now.

I've just come to a local café for a change of scenery, and can't believe how expensive just a cup of coffee is now!

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 26/04/2023 09:59

Not normal. Seldom pay more than £3 even in captive places such as museums.

Original poster
CoffeePricing · 26/04/2023 10:02

Thank you, I am not going crazy then! I'll think twice before coming again... Unfortunately it's the only place near me :( back to being a prisoner in my own living room it is!

OP posts:
OooohAhhhh · 26/04/2023 10:04

That's really expensive & not normal even for premium coffee shops like Starbucks & Costa.
I get my coffee from Gregg's now these days.

SBHon · 26/04/2023 10:06

Near me there are two ‘nice’ cafes next to each other and a flat white is £2.80 in one and £3.65 in the other.

I’d change my order to an americano with hot milk (which usually means they steam it) if its cheaper.

Southlandssue · 26/04/2023 10:10

I’d say it’s getting up there, most places I go definitely over £3, more like £3.40 so £3.75 on the top end but not totally insane. Well it is insane but no more insane than most places.

Newyeardietstartstomorrow · 26/04/2023 10:11

You aren't paying for the coffee. You are paying the wages of someone to serve you and its price for the use of a table in a heated, lighted room for 30 minutes, plus 20% VAT. Its expensive, but so is the business.

dexxter · 26/04/2023 10:11

Have you seen Black Sheep Coffee? They seem to be popping up all over London. I popped in one day, you order on a screen and there was barely a coffee available for under £4

bellswithwhistles · 26/04/2023 10:12

That's how much they are in Costa near to me (North West)

That's why I don't go out for a coffee! Coffee and cake is barely any change from £10.

andymary · 26/04/2023 10:13

Sounds like a normal price to me for these days (in the Midlands), especially if it's to sit in.
£3.55 for Regular or £3.90 for a Large at a local independent here.
or £3.65 for Regular Flat White in the local Costa.

Blanketunderstars · 26/04/2023 10:13

I paid £4.55 for a latte with an extra shot. I was gobsmacked and never went back! This was in North East city suburb.

TooooBusy · 26/04/2023 10:14

I'd say that's quite expensive but not extortionate, sadly. Perhaps a soft drink is cheaper if you just want the cafe experience. Pret also do (or did) a great monthly subscription whereby you can have numerous coffees a day for £20 pm. Not a great place to sit in and work though.

Blamunge · 26/04/2023 10:14

That’s a bit steep. A small coffee somewhere like Asda is about £2.40, in a place like Costa it’s more like £3.40. If it starts heading towards £4 I’ll stop buying because that’s too much.

Hbh17 · 26/04/2023 10:14

Rent, wages, power, business rates, raw materials, marketing, fixtures & fittings, accountancy and other fees..... I mean, what do people really expect?

Cananyoneexplain · 26/04/2023 10:14

Mine was £4.60 this morning. Mad. But it was lovely.

dietcokelime · 26/04/2023 10:15

Sounds normal to me! Like PP said, it's paying not just the coffee but the rent / utilities / staffing costs / materials etc.

coronafiona · 26/04/2023 10:15

I paid £3.40 yesterday at a costa motorway services.

Original poster
CoffeePricing · 26/04/2023 10:15

That price in Costa?? No way!

This is a really nice café to be fair, but still blows my mind for a few sips of coffee. I would usually drink a couple, but for this price I could feed my whole family, so I'll stick to one!

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 26/04/2023 10:16

Newyeardietstartstomorrow · 26/04/2023 10:11

You aren't paying for the coffee. You are paying the wages of someone to serve you and its price for the use of a table in a heated, lighted room for 30 minutes, plus 20% VAT. Its expensive, but so is the business.

This is it. Which is why I rarely buy coffee out from anywhere except McDonalds or Greggs because it's nice enough and a coffee simply isn't worth £3+ to me.

But not buying coffee while out makes you 'a prisoner in your own living room'. Take your own from home or just go for a walk.

coronafiona · 26/04/2023 10:16

Yup. Takeaway medium black coffee with a splash of milk, daylight robbery

TashieWoo · 26/04/2023 10:16

I paid £3.90 for a takeaway cappuccino yesterday and it was tiny, I won’t be going back but it was convenient at the time, it was a hipstery pop up place in a west
london suburb so it was never going to be cheap!

Blamunge · 26/04/2023 10:17

Hbh17 · 26/04/2023 10:14

Rent, wages, power, business rates, raw materials, marketing, fixtures & fittings, accountancy and other fees..... I mean, what do people really expect?

Yeah but there’s a limit to what people will pay. The business either has to make it work with prices in an acceptable range, or they have to close because nobody will pay what it costs.

Karatema · 26/04/2023 10:18

SBHon · 26/04/2023 10:06

Near me there are two ‘nice’ cafes next to each other and a flat white is £2.80 in one and £3.65 in the other.

I’d change my order to an americano with hot milk (which usually means they steam it) if its cheaper.

I've done this. My local is £2.50 for an Americano and they give me the share of milk my DH would have if he didn't drink it black 😀

Original poster
CoffeePricing · 26/04/2023 10:18

Well you're all making me feel better if that's the price for a takeaway coffee at a Costa services then I think I'm getting really good value here and will be more appreciative!

OP posts:
Peanutbutteryday · 26/04/2023 10:18

coronafiona · 26/04/2023 10:15

I paid £3.40 yesterday at a costa motorway services.

I’m in London suburbs and pay £3.40 for a costa. All the coffee places here independent or chain seem to range between £3.10 and £3.70. I do view it as a treat now too.

Bournetilly · 26/04/2023 10:19

This is normal to me