You thought we’d exhausted Costa’s dirt? Think again. Our blog analytics lit up like a Christmas tree this morning when we spotted frantic Teams-call scrambles from Buckinghamshire – home to Costa’s HQ – after we published our first Costa piece. Clearly, they’re twitchy about what hits the feed. That piqued our curiosity. So we grabbed a spade, left the keyboard behind, and spent the rest of the day digging. We published a second piece and then picked up the spade again. What we unearthed is so rotten it’ll need a third instalment. Strap in.
Sexual Harassment In Ireland – More Than Harmless Banter
September 2021, Dublin. A 19‑year‑old barista, Shauna Quilty, endured a gallery of sleazy stunts: her manager bombarded a staff chat with photos of himself in boxer shorts (“Santa Panties” he dubbed them) and a video of a colleague doodling male genitalia on a flat white. The Labour Court slammed MBCC Foods Ireland (Costa’s local operator) for failing to protect her – ordering €20,000 in damages and demanding proper anti‑harassment and social‑media policies. “Considerably more than harmless banter,” the judge fumed. Yet two years on, employees whisper that training remains patchy and policies sit unread in dusty folders.
Under‑16s Ban – Caffeine Gate
Back in late 2018, Costa quietly handed each store the right to quiz or refuse anyone under 16 buying a latte or iced coffee. No fanfare – until a 12‑year‑old in Conwy was turned away and her dad hit the headlines. Costa’s line was, “We don’t encourage caffeine for under‑16s,” yet left every branch to wing it. The result? Confusion, angry parents, and a PR headache that spread faster than crema on a flat white. Customers still aren’t sure if their local branch will ask for ID or just shrug.
Hospital Surcharge – 10p “Hospital Tax”
April 2023, NHS outlets across Britain. Every Costa concession in a hospital added a stiff 10 pence to drinks – a “hospital tax” critics called it. Patient groups and MPs branded it exploitative – gouging folks while they wait on sick loved ones. Costa’s defence? Higher operating costs. Fair enough, but that excuse tastes bitter when you’re already shelling out for parking and pretzels. The fee remains, and the uproar never fully died down.
Sorry Starbucks – A Hollow Win?
June 2010, the great “7 out of 10” face‑off. Costa crowed that blind taste tests showed seven in ten coffee lovers preferred its cappuccino to Starbucks and Caffè Nero. Starbucks cried foul – but the ASA backed Costa, citing solid methodology on small print. Costa hailed a 5.5 per cent sales bump. Yet insiders say the victory was pyrrhic: the spat exposed the chain’s willingness to play dirty in ads, turning rivals’ fans into sniffy skeptics.
Avocado Ad – ASA Throws the Cup
June 2018, UK commercial radio. Costa cheekily mocked avocado lovers – “18 days, 3 hours and 20 minutes to ripen, then you’ve got 10 minutes to eat it,” the ad quipped, urging listeners to grab a bacon roll at Costa instead. Light‑hearted, sure – but the ASA banned it for discouraging fresh‑fruit consumption. Costa had to swallow the ruling and promise not to slag off good dietary practice again. Ouch.
What’s next? Plenty. We’ve barely scratched the surface. Our hunch about those Buckinghamshire scrambles is confirmed – Costa’s desperate to bury every bad bean.
Lee Thompson – Founder, The Cummins Accountability Project
Sources
- “Ireland: Labour Court orders Costa Coffee to pay €20,000 in sexual harassment case”, Irish Times, 17 Sep 2021,
- Petter O., “Costa Coffee stores can now refuse to sell caffeinated drinks to under‑16s”, The Independent, 2 Nov 2018,
- Medlicott J., “Costa Coffee criticised for adding ‘hospital tax’ to drinks in NHS outlets”, LBC, 17 Apr 2023,
- Marsh S., “Costa Coffee radio ad banned in avocado row”, The Guardian, 3 Oct 2018,
- Sweney M., “Sorry Starbucks, but the advertising watchdog has found that ‘seven out of 10’ coffee lovers prefer Costa”, The Guardian, 16 Jun 2010,