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.

Nooooo!!!

I’m looking forward to spending some of my pension on a posh coffee every week. Just because I can!

MN is so disingenuous about bought coffees and completely miss the point.

People go to coffee shops to meet friends or to get out the house. I meet a friend for a coffee every week. We have a long walk, a browse in the shops and then go to the local Costa for a latte. Yes it’s expensive coffee but it’s a fiver for a whole afternoon out and about and a good chat with a friend. Money well spent.

The thing that surprises me the most here is that people don’t have better taste in coffee. Nero is passable but Costa is appalling.

If you don’t drink, smoke, want to eat out at a restaurant, go see a film, go to the gym, or shop, where else is there cheap to go out?

Those are the only choices in my local area and the only relatively quiet place that is open past 5:30pm that doesn’t involve the above I mentioned (the library shuts at 5pm or 7 but is a 20 min walk so during the week the option isn’t always there ).

I get to sit with my oat latte for several hours without distraction in a nice atmosphere (the Starbucks near me is quieter than the other coffee shops, the staff is lovely, and it shuts at 8 or 8:30) and be left alone which I hardly get at home for hours on end unless all are asleep which even then with a SEN child that wakes in the night is not always possible either so for me it is a treat and what I look forward to.

I think the same as you about sitting in a pub and can also understand that some may be nicer than others and people see it as a treat for themselves vs just doing such things at home.

Depends where you live though doesnt it?

I’m more baffled how they’re so popular still when their coffee is crap and the place is always so dirty! Like no one ever cleans up throughout the day. Yuck.

I always go to local independents now… however going for coffee with a friend and spending £5 has replaced going for dinner and spending £25 due to our budgets shrinking.

My local Costa is full of regulars including me!
I can afford it - usually only have a drink and take my own fruit which they dont mind - I go most mornings on my way to work and use it as my time to chill and plan my day
I also use it for work meetings
Prefer the coffee in Nero but not one as local so go there on weekends or if working elsewhere

not even just antisocial times. I work 'standard office hours' - if I ever want to meet friends/family for a chat after work all the 'naice independent' coffee places even in the city centre shut by 4 whereas costa/starbucks are open until at least 8, and 11.30pm in the ones by a motorway services or similar.

Also if people are there working they might be able to expense the cost, or think it's not that much more expensive to pay £4 for a coffee than rent out a co-working space, or heat their house for a few hours in winter, or whatever. Plus for some people who WFH it's mentally beneficial to get out of the house and be around people.

I'm a big coffee fan. I don't drink much (maybe a glass of wine every 2 months) but love coffee and the coffee culture nowadays.

I also like Neros. It think their coffee is delicious and the ones I go to are all in lovely old buildings and each has a different character.

I don't like Costa or Starbucks coffee.

I know some good independents, but I don't agree with the kneejerk idea that all independents are always better than all chains. The chains aren't all the same and I've had some horrible dishwater in some independents, I can tell you.

A branch of Macdonalds recently opened (to much local horror) in our high street but some very coffee-literate people have told me their coffee is great. I'll give it a try!

Should add that I like simple, strong, traditional types of coffee. I wonder if the less good chains are full of people who like a thick, sweet milky froth with syrups and all kinds of fancy additions?

Still love Neros, and I know what I like!

It’s like a thread a day on this topic. People have more money, COL doesn’t affect a lot of people. What’s so difficult for you to understand?

It’s a treat to have something that you haven’t made yourself/made for you. And the time to sit and drink it can be time out for all your chores etc

Even putting aside the fact that everyone's financial situation and priorities are different, a person in a coffee shop might be in there for the first time in three months. They might not spend more than £10 a month in one of these shops. I also think some people go to coffee shops to meet people as it's cheaper than a restaurant. some might have no office space and do it to get out.

Going to Costa every day for lunch was once the only thing keeping me from rage quitting my horrible (but well-paid and great for career prospects) job. Kept me working at that company for a further 2 years so was well worth the expense!

A lot of people with subscriptions or health insurance also get free coffee as a perk!

People spend their money on different things. Friends like a Friday night in the pub and a bottle of wine at the weekend. I don't drink and I'd rather have a couple of coffee shop visits a week. Also have my hobby group meets there too. I have been hit by the COL crisis and no longer have evenings out and budget other things more carefully. I buy most things second hand for instance.