Costa Coffee slammed for adding a ‘sickness tax’ onto hot drinks at hospital cafes

COSTA Coffee is charging a whopping 20p extra on some hot drinks sold in NHS hospital cafes compared to high street outlets prompting critics to accuse the chain of “profiteering”.

The charge has been dubbed a “sickness tax” by campaigners and comes as skint staff and patients are already battling soaring parking charges at hospitals while visiting sick loved ones.

Reuters

Costa Coffee has angered shoppers over “profiteering” practices[/caption]

Dozens of popular drinks are being sold at prices 5% more expensive at hospital branches than than just a few hundred yards from high street outlets, according to new research for The Sun. 

An audit by our investigators found a small latte or cappuccino costs £3.80 and a medium £4 at Medivest’s Royal Victoria Infirmary’s Costa Coffee outlet in Newcastle.

But the same drinks at Costa’s nearby Northumberland Street branch sell for just £3.60 and £3.80.

Similarly, down south at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester a small and medium latte or cappuccino costs £3.80 and £4 respectively.

That compares to just £3.60 and £3.80 down the road at the city’s East Street branch.

In addition, a flat white is priced at £3.95 in the hospital versus just £3.75 on the high street in Chichester.

While a small Americano is £3.05 in the hospital but just £2.90 down the road on East Street.

We found other examples of NHS price mark ups at Costa outlets around the country.

At Costa’s Medivest Sheffield Children’s Hospital outlet we found a small Americano on sale for £3.05, a small latte or cappuccino for £3.80, or £4 for a medium of each and a flat white for £3.95.

But down the road at Sheffield’s Broomhill high street outlet the same drinks are on sale for 10p each less.

And in the capital, we found the same story at Costa’s Medivest Croydon University Hospital in south London where prices are identical to those at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

But following the same trend just a few hundred yards at the Thornton Heath Costa café all the same drinks are on sale for 10p less meaning NHS staff and patients are yet again being asked to fork out more.

In December we revealed Costa had been hit by shortages of popular menu items such as toasties, cakes, and breakfast baps due to supply issues.

While last week it was reported the chain had started serving tea from its 7,000 self-serve Express machines situated in shops, supermarkets, travel hubs and petrol stations in a move welcomed by customers.

However, last night critics hit out at the coffee giant who have more than 2,000 outlets around the UK, for charging hospital visitors more.

Dennis Reed, of over 60’s campaign group, Silver Voices, said: “Costa Coffee should be ashamed of itself for putting a tax on illness and injury.

 “People visiting the hospital are there because they are seeing sick relatives or friends, and may be tired and worried themselves, probably in dire need of a pick-up.

“Costa is exploiting visitors’ vulnerabilities and the hospital boards should be threatening to terminate contracts where gross profiteering is going on.”

Martyn James, independent consumer champion, said: “There is no justifiable reason for charging people extra for goods or services when they are trapped in a hospital.

“It is reprehensible that companies do this while people experience some of the most distressing times in their lives.”

Costa said: “We collaborate with various partners across the UK to offer Costa Coffee in different settings, including hospitals.

“Each partner establishes their own pricing, which can result in some Costa Coffee items being priced differently due to the operating costs of those locations.

“We regularly assess pricing with our partners to ensure it remains competitive within the relevant retail environment, while maintaining a focus on quality and value.”

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