Cafe chain Costa Coffee has awarded employees across its 1,520 UK employer-owned stores a third pay rise in 12 months.
From 1 April, base pay rates for all store team members, regardless of age, will increase from £10 per hour to at least £10.70 per hour. More experienced baristas will see an uplift from £10.53 to at least £11.23 per hour, depending on location and role.
Following completion of an introductory training programme, baristas can receive an extra 20p per hour, or 50p for more experienced baristas, resulting in three-quarters of staff earning at least £10.90 per hour from next month. Over the past year, Costa’s base pay rate increased by more than 14%, from £9.36 per hour.
The chain also invested more than £12 million in enhancing its benefits offering, changing store performance bonuses from vouchers to direct payments, and increasing the staff discount from 25% to 50%. Free drinks are also always available while employees are working a shift.
Nick Orrin, interim UK and Ireland managing director at Costa Coffee, said: “Our expert baristas are at the heart of our business and the communities we serve, and we are proud to be rewarding their amazing work. This increase reflects everything they continue to do for our customers to make their day that little bit better. We continue to live in uncertain times, but we are passionate about putting our teams and communities first. By always investing in our stores and our teams, we can give everyone a little boost each time they step inside their local Costa Coffee.”
Costa Coffee staff can also access benefits such as discounts on household purchases, bills and entertainment, up to 10% matching on pension contributions, income protection, life assurance, and a cycle-to-work scheme.