Coffee chain Costa Coffee has announced a 5% pay rise for its 14,500 staff working at its business-owned UK stores.
The organisation, which owns 1,500 stores in the UK, while another 1,200 stores are franchise-owned, has awarded employees with this as a way to thank them for their hard work during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. The pay increase does not include workers at franchise-owned stores.
Store team members will take home an average of between £500 and £900 more per year, once the wage rise comes into effect from 1 October. They will receive a increase of at least 45 pence per hour, meaning minimum pay will rise from £8.91 to £9.36 per hour.
Staff who work as Barista Maestros, who oversee how the coffee is made and manage branches, will receive a pay rise of 65 pence per hour, resulting in their minimum pay augmenting from £9.64 to £10.29 per hour. The top pay rate, which varies according to location and experience, will go up from £10.64 to £11.29 per hour.
According to Costa, this makes their roles more appealing in the sector, with the pay rise complemented by a range of existing benefits and perks, such as a quarterly incentive scheme, high-street discounts, free coffees on shift, a team member support fund, and a “significantly enhanced” pension scheme.
Neil Lake, managing director of Costa Coffee UK & Ireland, explained that team members are the heart of the business and as it continues to emerge stronger from the pandemic, the pay increase is a way to reward staff.
“Our teams have been through the most challenging year and a half in living memory and have shown incredible passion, resilience, and commitment as they continue to serve perfectly crafted cups of Costa coffee to consumers across the country,” he said.