COFFEE lovers cried “no way” as an iconic chain with 1,100 branches announced they will be pulling down the shutters for good.

Starbucks fans were saddened to hear their Dalton Park store, in Murton, Country Durham, would be closing down in hours.

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In fact, loyal customers will have to wave goodbye to the popular coffee shop today, as staff serve their final drinks.

But, it is not all bad news for Starbucks lovers, as the industry giant revealed exciting future plans.

A spokesperson for the American coffee chain wrote: “We regularly review our portfolio to ensure our stores are in places that are relevant for our customers while also maintaining healthy business growth.

“We can confirm that our store in Dalton Park, County Durham will close on 10th March, however, we have plans to open a drive-thru in the area soon.

“We would like to thank our customers for their loyalty over the years and let them know can find their nearest store on Starbucks Store Locator.”

Disappointed fans hailed their beloved coffee house and left comments of support.

“Wish all the lovely staff good luck. They were always very friendly and made the best coffee around. Much better than Costa. Will miss it, was a lovely treat at Dalton Park. No other decent coffee places there now,” penned one disappointed customer.

Another fan posted: “Wow it surprises me as it’s always full.”

A third agreed: “Shame as I love a Starbucks too.”

“No way, love Starbucks coffee and toasted fruit loaf,” someone else wrote.

Another added: “I’m sure they haven’t been open all that long? Sad.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Dalton Park hinted at an “exciting and hugely popular brand” to replace the Starbucks.

“At Dalton Park, we’re always working hard to bring more exciting brands to our store line-up to enhance our outlet offering further and give our visitors the best possible shopping experience,” announced the spokesperson.

“We are currently in discussion with a number of retailers who are keen to join Dalton Park this year. 

“We’ll announce new brand arrivals soon, including news of a very exciting and hugely popular brand that will be taking over the Starbucks unit.”

And, locals are speculating a Greggs may be geared up to take its place.

A spokesperson for the fast-food chain confirmed “a new shop in County Durham within the next couple of months”.

It comes as the international coffee giant pulled down the shutters on other branches recently.

At the end of last year Starbucks shuttered their coffee house in Botanic Avenue, Belfast, for good.

The chain also closed its branch in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, on July 21, according to local news reports.

But, it in March of last year, the company did reveal they would be opening 100 new stores across the UK.

Starbucks said the franchise will fork out over £30 million to ensure the new cafes open.

The coffee giant already has 1,066 UK branches – 318 of which are company-owned and 748 are run by licensees.

DEATH OF THE HIGH STREET

It comes as even industry giants are falling victim to rising bills and customers with less spending money amid the biting cost of living.

Several brands have collapsed and disappeared from our high streets forever, such as Wilko and Paperchase.

In the latest blow, six major chains including Next, The Entertainer, Iceland, Clarks and WHSmith have shut up shop.

Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) this summer found the UK had lost 6,000 stores over a five-year period.

Shoppers recently sobbed at the “very sad news” a popular discount chain with more than 500 stores was closing for good.

The Body Shop bosses have also called in administrators with a “significant number” of jobs and shops at risk as the brand is set to begin an insolvency processes.

Meanwhile, popular beauty retailer Boots has also sadly announced it will be closing 300 shops this year, following several closures in 2023.

Plus, bargain hunters were be devastated to learn the discount retailer B&M closed yet another shop.

Retailers closing stores in 2024

RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.

High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.

Here’s a list of all the big-name brands closing stores this year:

• Argos – The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone UK branches last year as it looks to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.
• B&Q – The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, so chances are you have one near you, but some stores have closed in recent months.
• Boots – The health and beauty chain announced that it would be closing 300 stores last July. Closures are ongoing and this will see the retailer’s estate reduced from 2,200 to 1,900 shops.
• Clintons – Clintons mulled plans to close 38 shops in a bid to avoid insolvency late last year. We’ve listed the stores affected.
• Costa Coffee – The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you’ll have one near you. The chain has shut the doors to dozens of its sites recently. We’ve revealed which stores are due to close this year.
• Iceland – The supermarket has more than 900 stores but closed nearly two dozen sites in 2023, and more selected shops are due to shut.
• Lidl – The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing up shop locations, which has meant that some stores have to close. But the retailer is also looking to open 12 new supermarkets.
• M&S – M&S, which runs 405 stores across the country, has been closing a string of branches across the country in a blow for shoppers. It’s not all bad news, though, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new shops as well.
• Trespass – The firm announced in July last year that it was closing six branches, but more are on the way.
• WHSmith – The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shuttered eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.