Starbucks to serve alcohol at UK outlets

Starbucks has launched its “evenings” programme in the UK, which will see the coffee chain offer a range of wine and craft beers to customers.

The newly renovated Stansted Airport store, operated in partnership with food travel experts SSP UK, will be the first to offer Starbucks Evenings with plans to expand the program to additional stores. Meals and shareable hot and cold snacks, such as chorizo and prawn skewers with chili ketchup, truffle mac and cheese and braised British beef will be served alongside a selection of premium wines and beers in stemless, plastic glasses.

Depending on the location, Starbucks Evenings in the UK will be available from 4pm until close with all wine and beer served for in-store consumption only.

Ian Cranna, VP marketing and category for Starbucks EMEA, said: “Providing a welcoming coffeehouse environment has always been our focus and now we can offer something new for the evening too. I think our customers will love the new range of terrific food and carefully selected wines and beers which will provide even more choice and reasons to visit us later in the day.”

The concept has already proven popular in the US with 30 stores operating the service across Seattle, Portland, Southern California, Chicago and Atlanta.

“Starbucks is a brand which is synonymous with great coffee and introducing this programme will tempt our coffee lovers to experience a new range of delicious foods and carefully selected alcoholic beverages in our newly renovated store,” said Simon Smith, CEO, UK and Ireland for SSP UK.

There are currently no plans to offer spirits as part of the Starbucks Evenings Programme.