Costa sneakily slaps another price hike onto hot drinks as customers slam ‘sickness tax'

The Sun

6 hours ago

COSTA Coffee has slapped increases of as much as 15p on brew prices with hospital branches hit the worst thanks to a 20p 'sickness surcharge' - just four months since the last hike.
The cost of caffeine blow means coffee fans working, visiting or laid up in hospital could end up shelling out upwards for £4 a pop for their favourite tipple this summer.
The increases have been dubbed 'outrageous' and a 'sickness surcharge' by critics and comes as brassic staff and patients are already battling surging parking charges at hospitals while visiting poorly loved ones.
Dozens of popular drinks are being sold at prices 5% more expensive at hospital branches than those 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 £3.90 and a medium £4.10 at Medivest's Royal Victoria Infirmary's Costa Coffee outlet in Newcastle.
That's a 10p increase on February 2025 prices and a 20p more compared with high street prices just yards down the road.
The same drinks at Costa's nearby Northumberland Street branch sell for just £3.70 and £3.90.
Similarly, down south at Medivest's St Richard's Hospital Costa café in Chichester a small and medium latte or cappuccino costs £3.90 and £4.10 respectively – also a 10p hike on prices since our last survey in February.
That compares to just £3.70 and £3.90 down the road at the city's East Street branch.
In addition, a flat white is priced at £4.05 in the hospital versus just £3.85 on the high street in Chichester.
While a small Americano is now £3.20 in the hospital – a 15p hike - but just £2.99 down the road on East Street – a 9p increase since February.
We found other examples of NHS price mark ups at Costa outlets around the country.
Five ways to save money at costa
At Costa's Medivest Sheffield Children's Hospital outlet we spotted a small Americano on sale for £3.20, a small latte or cappuccino for £3.90, or £4.10 for a medium of each and a flat white for £4.05.
That equates to a 10p increase on all drinks since February with Americano's up 15p.
While down the road at Sheffield's Broomhill outlet prices have also been hiked on the same drinks but these are still 10p cheaper than hospital rates.
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.
Following the same trend just a few hundred yards away 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 in February 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 blasted the coffee giant who have more than 2,800 outlets around the UK including 80 in hospitals, for charging patients and visitors more.
Dennis Reed, of over 60's campaign group, Silver Voices, said: 'Costa Coffee is still putting a sickness surcharge on patients and visitors, because they are seen as a captive audience with nowhere else to go for a beverage.
'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.
'Hospital managers have the responsibility to ensure patients and their visitors are not blatantly ripped off in this way".
Martyn James, Sun Squeeze Team member and independent consumer champion, added: 'It is high time these outrageous hospital hikes in prices were banned.
'No one should have to pay more for coffee at potentially one of the worst times in their life.
'These costs can be spread over all outlets - and maybe even cut for those who need cheering up the most.'
The chain has blamed inflation and rising costs for the increases.
Costa said: 'We collaborate with various partners across the UK to offer Costa Coffee in a range of settings, including hospitals.
'As each partner sets their own pricing, some items may vary in cost due to the operating expenses of those locations.
'We regularly review pricing with our partners to ensure it remains competitive within the relevant retail environment, while maintaining our focus on quality and value.
'Earlier this year, we made the difficult decision to adjust the prices of our beverages, extras (excluding alternative milks), and packaged drinks, with increases ranging from 5p to 15p.
'Like many retailers, we continue to navigate inflationary pressures and rising costs.
"Despite this, we remain committed to delivering value for our customers through our everyday deals, including breakfast, lunch, and afternoon bundles.
'In addition, our Costa Club app offers members exclusive discounts and rewards through features such as Treat Drop and Swaps.'