A new Starbucks store will open at Elms Field, Wokingham tomorrow (Friday 18 September.) Operated by a regional Starbucks licensee Cobra Coffee Ltd – part of Southern Co-op, the store will create 12 new jobs for the local area.
To celebrate the opening, the first 100 customers to enter the store will be given a free reusable cup. Starbucks offers a 25p discount to all customers who bring a reusable cup when purchasing a drink. The store was part of a special design project led by Phil Parkin, Senior Project Designer at Starbucks across Europe, Middle East and Africa, who grew up in Wokingham.
Phil said: “My job at Starbucks is to oversee store designs across the Middle East, however, I was recently given the opportunity to work on a project a little closer to home! Having gone to the Forest School in Wokingham, I could not miss out on the opportunity to design my local Starbucks store. To reflect the store’s location overlooking the park, I used bold colours and botanical artwork that celebrates both the Old Elms Field Park – where I have many fond memories as a child – and the fantastic green spaces that are part of Wokingham’s recent regeneration. I hope my family and friends will enjoy the store for many years to come.”
Ahead of the store opening, Cllr Malcom Richards, Wokingham Borough Mayor, visited the store to welcome Starbucks to Wokingham and meet some of the store’s partners.
Cllr Malcolm Richards, Wokingham Borough Mayor and ward councillor for Norreys, said: “Starbucks is a perfect fit for Elms Field where people can enjoy the wonderful new store or sit outside and relax in the park and play area with a delicious drink.”
Customers are invited to visit the new store to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee and relax with the comfortable seating and free wi-fi. Starbucks coffee is 99% ethically sourced and accredited by Conservation International under the C.A.F.E. Practices programme.
The new store is conveniently located at Unit 7A Elms Walk, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 2FE, and is open from 7:00am until 6:00pm, Monday – Saturday, and 8:00am until 6:00pm Sunday.
Store Manager Rebecca Brown, who just moved back to Wokingham after many years when her father was a baker in the town, said: “We are so excited to open our new store and the team are closely following guidance from both Government and health authorities to keep everyone safe instore. We can’t wait to start welcoming new faces over the next few weeks.”