US coffee chain ‘pulls out’ of historic market town

The Seattle-based coffee shop giant opened its 60-seat new cafe in the town’s market place in December 2021.

Now it is understood that the branch is expected to close in September.

READ MORE: Starbucks to open 60-seat cafe in Abingdon

One member of staff said : “Yes we are closing in September – it’s the talk of the town.

“I don’t know the reasons – there are a lot of independent cafes in Abingdon.”

Inside Starbucks in Abingdon (Image: Andy Ffrench)

When Starbucks opened in Abingdon, the branch manager at the time Wayne McHugh said he was delighted with the positive reception from people in the town.

He said: “It’s been amazing – people were queuing outside at 9am waiting to come in.

“I know it’s competitive here – I’ve been round all Abingdon’s coffee shops – but I do think Starbucks can add something very positive.

“It’s a big brand name but we do want to become part of the community.”

Wayne McHugh at Starbucks in Abingdon in 2021 (Image: Andy Ffrench)

The town’s Starbucks is surrounded by other cafes, including independents.

There is a branch of Costa in the market place, together with Java and R&R, and Missing Bean, a short distance away in Stert Street, recently celebrated its fifth birthday.

Throwing Buns is a cafe on the opposite side of the market place, close to the town museum and there are other cafes throughout the town including those in High Street and Bath Street.

Abingdon has a strong claim to being the oldest continuously inhabited town in England.

There are other Starbucks coffee shops across Oxfordshire.

The chain has cafes in Oxford, Bicester and Banbury, and at Welcome Break Oxford services at junction 8A of the M40 at Waterstock, and at the Peartree interchange in north Oxford.

A year ago, Pablo Lounge, a restaurant and bar on the corner of Bury Street precinct close to Market Place, closed and so far nothing has replaced.

The town’s Nat West bank branch in Market Place also closed last year.

The Starbucks chain operates more than 1,300 cafes across the UK.

The chain pledged to open another 500 coffeehouses in the UK in the next five years, with 75 new cafes opening this year.

Starbucks has been asked to comment.