British coffee chain Costa Coffee has launched a 24-hour drive-through at its Leicester Meridien East location - a significant move towards round-the-clock service offerings.  

The Leicester Meridien East drive-through trial, which involved operating the lane overnight from 10pm to 5am, also assessed the feasibility of extending these operating hours across more stores. 

The extension aims to benefit those who work non-traditional hours, such as healthcare professionals, hospitality and retail workers, and delivery drivers.  

Costa Coffee regional operations director for North and Central England Matt Harman said: “Costa Coffee has always been at the heart of the community, and this trial is another way for us to serve our customers when they need us most.  

“We’re proud that our Leicester Meridien East drive-through is the first store to trial this exciting initiative. Whether it’s a late-night coffee run or picking up an early breakfast for commuters, our team is ready to deliver the Costa Coffee experience around the clock.”  

In preparation for the extended hours, Costa Coffee has hired four new members.  

The brand will closely monitor customer feedback and community response throughout the trial period.

In October 2024, Costa Coffee announced the early launch of seasonal favourites in its UK locations, including the return of the Mince Tart and the All Butter Mince Pie.