to wonder why coffee shops like Costa and Caffè Nero always so busy?

[catchingup1]

I walk past a couple on my way to work every morning around 7:45am and they’re already at least half full. People are already settled in with laptops, having meetings or just sitting.

A lot of them don’t even look like they’re working. Just scrolling on their phones or chatting.

Also with the cost of living being what it is, I find it even more surprising. I know money isn’t an issue for everyone, but for a lot of people it is, so seeing places like this consistently busy everyday just feels a bit out of sync with everything you hear about how tight things are.

People spend their money on different things.
People have more money than you.
People are in debt.
People think their weekly Costa is good for their well being so trim the budget elsewhere.

Many many reasons.

Costa and CN in our little town seem to be fairly social hubs for the elder community. Lots of organised meet ups etc.

The numerous independent coffee shops are all busy too. Cost of living has not affected everyone. It’s overblown in the media if you ask me.

‘At least half full’, at what I would expect to be one of the busiest times of the day for a coffee place, doesn’t sound all that busy to me

Because so many people like this sort of thing.

It's the exact same reason so many towns are choc full of chicken shops and other takeaway outlets.

Because they sell nice toasties, nice cakes and nice hot chocolate.
That's why I go there.
I am not rich but it's what I choose to spend my money on.

I know that due to cost of living I have cut back on going out for an evening meal but am still having a hot drink + pastry as a treat. £8/10 at a cafe is affordable , £30+ for an evening meal not so much.

I would sooner have 3 coffee shop trips than 1 meal out, that's why I go.

Because they are the only place open at those antisocial times.

I used to always get breakfast there on my way to work. I’m disabled and making meals is hard.

People like coffee.
Not everyone is skint, despite what you hear - very few people are so skint they can’t run to the odd coffee.
They’re generic and samey but have a decent level of quality, and are generally pleasant.

It’s ridiculous, isn’t it! I went without coffees for just a couple of months and I was able to afford a detached house with a large garden in the most expensive area of town as a result! You would think people didn’t know about saving or something.

Can we move on to the price of avocado toast?

A lot of people locally buy one drink and sit there for hours using the WiFi and table to work - cheaper than hiring a workspace. I often see people having small meetings there too.

There are also quite a few free drinks about - rewards with bank accounts, insurance purchases. Not everyone is paying for their drink.

It’s obvious that not everyone is too skint to buy a coffee. You say a lot of them are scrolling on their phones or chatting like that’s a strange thing to do in a coffee shop, it isn’t.

It's cheaper than a meal out so maybe a coffee shop is the cutting down / compromise

I occasionally have a coffee out (say, 3 times a month). I’m not really struggling with CoL. I imagine spread over weeks, there’s lots of us spending £10 a month on coffee which is really not much.

That said, for lots of self employed people and home workers, an office is £500+ a month or a co-working space £15-20 a day. Much cheaper to buy a coffee or two if you’re being savvy.

Pubs are heaving where I am and the price of a pint or a glass of wine is more than a coffee. I love going to the pub!

So many social opportunities have been closed down. In winter they are warm (not all houses can be, never mind the cost of doing so), and I guess some people don't want to bother with making their own breakfast. Most offer something reasonably healthy, not fatty foods like Greggs, and are not tax avoiders like Starbucks.

Probably because of me. I go out for coffee a lot. Any chance I get. Alone or with people. I bring my kids a bit too and buy them a drink. I don't mind paying for an expensive coffee, I love cafes. I also am not struggling financially so if I feel like an extra I buy it. I am struggling weight wise so try to limit it to just drinks for that reason.

Lord knows, because the coffee in Costa is undrinkable - cold and slimy.

I guess because they like it and can afford it.

I love the idea of a coffee shop but last time I went it was an awful experience; rammed elbow to elbow, so loud we couldn't chat, drinks weren't good and expensive. I thought it'd feel like a treat but it didn't.

I think going out for coffee is great - and unsurprising - but it's the popularity of these awful chains that is baffling. There are so many good independent coffee shops and cafes to go to instead.

It’s a treat and a way to be out of the house and socialise, also for someone on their own it does not come with the same insecurity as going to a pub on your own. Young people are more into health and fitness and coffee is their thing rather than pints.

We are pretty hard up despite both working but we have a mortgage and 2 young children (well one is a baby) but nursery fees etc. we never go out for meals or get take aways but we do go out for
coffees. It's the only "treat" thing we have really . As we can get 2 coffees and a babycino for about £10 and it's a nice outing as a family. So yes you are making a strange point.

We do generally go to independent coffee shops though and not Costa. Forgot to add. But my 4 year old loves costa for some reason. Probably the marshmallow with his babychino lol

I commute past a costa at’6:30 in the morning and every morning there are two single oldies on their own tables next to each other. I’m not sure if they’re actually having breakfast or actually acknowledge each other, and I hate Costa myself, but I do find it heartwarming that two people who may live alone share some company every day.