COSTA REOPENING ITS DOORS FOR 'TAKEAWAY SERVICE ONLY' FROM JUNE 18

INITIAL HOURS WILL BE 8am TO 4pm, ASSISTANT STORE MANAGER NICOLE LYNAM ADVISES

LOCKDOWN easing will see the return of a popular world famous brand to the high street in Atherstone next month but half of its core attraction will be missing for the time being.

Regulars make a beeline for the Costa shop because it offers the chance of a "coffee and a catch-up" venue with work colleagues, friends or family all rolled into one.

Assistant store manager Nicole Lynam has announced the Long Street store will be re-opening on June 18 – three days later than the date set by Boris Johnson for the nationwide reopening of non-essential shops.

And she explained that initially it will be "takeaway service only" with a strict two metre social distancing rule in place.

Costa Coffee opening hours will also be slightly restricted to begin with – at 8am to 4pm. "But it will be changed at a later date," she added.

The thought of the return of all those tempting treats brought a swift response from Charly Downes who said: "Yippie.

"We can have a Costa and cake and toastie and marshmallows with cream, ooh and a 'millionaire' shortbread."

Patrick Kimberley added: "Can't wait."