Costa Coffee is today celebrating the opening of its newest drive-thru store.

The shop, on Souter Lane, is the second outlet to open as part of the major regeneration project ‘Weymouth Gateway’ by LondonMetric Property and Avercet.

Costa Coffee has promised "at least ten new jobs" in the local community with the store itself employing 12 people.

It is one of over 100 stores that Costa Coffee and its franchise partners plan to open throughout 2022, as it continues to invest across the country.

Mike Aldridge, Costa Coffee’s Regional Operations Director for the South West of England and the Midlands, said: “We are very proud to be opening our new store here in Weymouth and creating at least 10 new jobs for local people.

"Our store, with its new and uplifting design, offers coffee fans the perfect spot to grab their favourite coffee to go, or stop for one of our classic traybakes. Our amazing team of baristas are excited to welcome customers to the store for a perfectly crafted Costa coffee.”

Developers LondonMetric Property and Avercet gained planning permission to regenerate the long-dormant site along Mercery Road in July 2021.

Featuring a Drive-Thru Lane for those on the move, the store is one of the first to boast a new uplifting in-store design that Costa Coffee is rolling out in the UK.

It offers a bright, warm, and contemporary environment where customers can enjoy their favourite handcrafted drinks in the comfort of modern furniture.

The first unit opened ahead of schedule in May 2022 and two further units are expected to open before Christmas.

Once all stores on the site are open, the project will generate around 280 fulltime-equivalent jobs, in addition to the 50 jobs already created throughout the construction period.

It is also expected to help create a further 50 jobs locally through associated economic uplift.

Chris Newns, Director of Avercet said: “Despite supply chain issues across the construction industry, we’re delighted to report that this project is continuing to run ahead of schedule and we expect the final two consented units – for B&M and Dunelm – to also be trading on the site before Christmas.’

The new Costa Coffee store will be open every day between 6am and 7pm (Sundays 7am-7pm), with the Drive-Thru lane open until 8pm.