Costa opens first drive-thru in Wales

The first Costa coffee drive-thru in Wales has opened in Swansea.

The new 1,900 sq ft unit is located on Heron Way, Swansea, and is part of the Heron Way Retail Park development led by south Wales developer Actoris.

The UK’s favourite coffee shop brand1 has agreed a 15 year lease for £51,000 per annum and has created 22 jobs.

Costa is the latest company to locate within the new £2 million development, which is set to create over 50 jobs for the local economy.

Other businesses set to become part of the Heron Way development include national bakery chain Greggs, which occupies a 1,200 sq ft building, Swansea-based Joe’s ice cream, which has agreed to take a 800 sq ft building, and award-winning Porthcawl-based Finnegan’s Fish and Chips, which occupies a 1,000 sq ft unit. The final 800 sq ft unit is currently under offer to a national pizza operator.

Cardiff-based retail specialist EJ Hales advised Actoris on purchasing the land from Asda and agreed all lettings on the developer’s behalf.  Actoris was also advised by an all Wales based professional team including Berry Smith Solicitors, CW Architects and Shear Design.

Matt Bryant, Director at Actoris, said: “After completing a £10 million development that included the Premier Inn and Tesco in Langdon Road, SA1, we saw the potential of further developments in Swansea. We’re thrilled with the amount of interest we have received from businesses, local and national, for the Heron Way development. It’s a great testament to the quality of the development that Costa selected it to open its first drive-thru in Wales.

“EJ Hales has supported us significantly throughout the process and their expert advice has been gratefully received.”

Matthew Morgan, partner at EJ Hales, said: “The Heron Way development is great for Swansea and will definitely help to boost the local economy with the creation of new jobs. Actoris has a strong affiliation with the city and we are delighted that we have been able to support the team in its aim to secure strong brands.

“For Joe’s Ice cream parlour, this will be its fourth outlet and it will be Finnegan’s Fish and Chips fifth outlet. Therefore, not only have we been able to secure national brands such as Costa, but we have been able to help Welsh-based businesses continue to grow.”