Costa Coffee Raises Coffee‑Crew Wages – A Warm Brew for Everyone
What’s Brewing?
Costa Coffee, the UK’s favorite coffee spot, is upping the pay for more than 15,000 teammates at its 1,500 company‑owned shops, starting 1 April 2025. This fresh cash splash comes from a £8 million investment, and it’s all about keeping the espresso culture thriving amid rising living costs.
Pay Grade Breakdown
- Baristas – new starting rate: £12.60 per hour (from £12.00)
- Barista Maestros (team leaders & coffee trainers) – average pay lift of ~5% to £12.93 per hour (from £12.33)
- Completing role‑specific training earns an extra 50p, bumping the rate to £13.43 per hour
- Central London teams get a £1 extra. That means £13.60 for Baristas, £13.93 for new Maestros, and £14.43 after training.
No age‑banding means every hourly‑paid UK employee in a company‑owned shop receives this boost. And if a team’s performance is top‑notch, special bonuses follow.
Why the Move?
Nick Orrin, Costa’s UK & I Managing Director, said the shift “reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in and supporting our people.” He added, “We’re proud to recognise the passion, talent, and hard work they bring every day, ensuring exceptional experiences for our customers.”
Political Cheers
During a recent store visit, Rt Hon. Rachel Reeves MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, exclaimed, “It was fantastic to hear how this pay rise will make a real difference. Hard work deserves rewards. From April, our increase to the National Living Wage will give three million people £1,400 a year more.” She linked the move to a broader plan to kick‑start economic growth and put more money in working folks’ pockets.
Why It Matters
Think of it as a latte upgrade for the coffee crew: a larger cup of appreciation, smoother puckering details, and a stronger flavor for future adventures. With wages nudged higher, teams can keep mastering the art of the perfect brew without worrying about balancing budgets.
Cheers to Costa’s coffee champions – let the bean, the people, and the pay dance together!
