Drive-thru coming to popular Mayo coffee outlet

FANS of Costa Coffee will soon be able to 'drive-thru' for their cuppa in Castlebar.

Plans for a drive-thru lane for the Costa Coffee unit, including a canopy and service hatch, at Castlebar Retail Park on the Breaffy Road, have been given the go-ahead.

The proposed ancillary drive-thru lane is a new service which is being provided by Costa Coffee in other suitable locations in Ireland, as part of proposed outlet upgrades.

A submission to Mayo County Council noted that during and since the pandemic there has been a significant growth in cafe units, drive-thru and standalone, trading in Ireland, many of which have no planning or other required certification, up and down the country.

'This largely unchecked activity is impacting our permitted cafe business and that of other parties who trade coffee shops with planning permission, paying rates, and seeking to be fully compliant.'

The group is responding to these challenges in a mix of ways, with reinvestment to improve the experience for customers, including refurbishments, upgrading signage and outdoor seating areas, upgrading internal WC facilities and baby changing facilities, and, where possible, to provide for drive-thru collection lanes where they are appropriate, such as retail parks.