Starbucks lounge at Warwick Southbound, situated left of the main entrance, next to Waitrose. Starbucks is Warwick’s most obvious brand, and has its own large extension at the side. Warwick South opened with a large Coffee Primo lounge in 1995. However, in 2009, this was refurbished into Welcome Break’s 2nd Starbucks outlet, following a successful trial at Corley 3 years earlier. Unfortunately for Starbucks, they were late to the game as the industry of chain coffee houses at motorway services had began with Costa in 2000. Despite this, Starbucks is a popular brand & Welcome Break are always quick to point out that they use Starbucks and stand out because of it, as Moto & Roadchef use Costa instead. Starbucks is very separate from the other food outlets here, with its own seating. Warwick South also obtains a Starbucks kiosk in the food court, however, this wasn’t open during my visit. This may be turned into a Taco Bell? Some customers are put off my Starbucks’s relaxed attitude towards supercharging. Starbucks has recently inflated their prices, nationwide, significantly (50% in the past 10 years). However, this inflation is greater at motorway services as they have higher demand. This makes Starbucks not value for money. Despite this, it’s a recognisable name and most customers are happy to pay the prices. Starbucks at Warwick South used to remain open 24/7 but since lockdown, it shuts during the night. Customers stopping during the night can use the StarbucksOnTheGo offer in WHSmith. This lounge does loose some trade to the drive thru unit here. This pic evidences yet more of Warwick South’s skylight in the main concourse. Since Welcome Break’s partnership with Starbucks, EG then created a partnership with them, being the reason so many smaller Little Chef restaurants have been transformed into Starbucks lounges on A-roads (good examples being Popham & Willoughby Hedge). Starbucks at Warwick South was refurbished last year with Starbucks’s new styling of brighter colours/oak. Before this refurb, the interior was rather dark. Starbucks was fairly busy during my visit to Warwick Southbound, as there was a large influx of coach passengers at the site. Starbucks’s large size means it can cope well with large crowds & there’s plenty of seating for customers to use, but the staff were under pressure. Starbucks is signposted from the M40 South as a drive thru. Some customers perhaps less familiar with UK motorway services may not expect an additional Starbucks lounge in the amenity building, but mostly, customers will expect this as most other motorway services with coffee shop drive Thrus also have a lounge. Starbucks is advertised lots around the site & from the exterior of the amenity building, hinting that Welcome Break takes pride in this partnership!

Photo taken on 24/06/2024 by Tom Moon.

Assigned to galleries: Warwick, Starbucks, M40, Welcome Break