Copyright glasgowlive
International coffee giant Starbucks is closing 10 outlets before the end of October 2025 amid challenging trading circumstances. Last month the company announced it was shutting some UK branches following a review of its worldwide coffee shops. At that time it didn't reveal how many outlets would be impacted, their locations, or the number of staff affected - however reports have now confirmed 10 are closing this month. The hospitality firm operates approximately 520 company-owned outlets across the UK, alongside franchise-operated coffee shops. It's believed over 5,600 individuals are employed by Starbucks throughout the UK. The chain stated it plans to shut locations where it hasn't managed to "create the physical environment customers" desire, and where they aren't sustainably profitable. The coffee company has indicated it remains on course to launch 80 new Starbucks locations in the UK and maintains its commitment to the country. The Starbucks branch at Brunel Retail Park in Whitley was the first to close on Wednesday, October 16. This was followed by the shutdown of the Leyton Mills Retail Park outlet on Sunday, October 19 and the London Bridge Station shop on Monday, October 20. The remaining sites - Balham, Glasgow Exchange Place, King's Lynn in Norfolk, Muswell Hill, Aberdeen's Holburn Junction, and Holland Park - were all due to stop trading yesterday, Sunday, October 26. Starbucks, which runs roughly 520 company-owned outlets in the UK, also operates numerous franchise-owned coffee establishments. Last month, the company revealed plans to shrink its North American store portfolio by 1% this year and axe roughly 900 head office positions. This represents the second occasion since 2018 that Starbucks has cut corporate jobs, having previously made around 350 employees redundant. Earlier this year, the firm eliminated 1,100 corporate roles in February. Starbucks also disclosed it will trim its collection of stores in North America by 1% this year and will slash approximately 900 head office positions there. It marks the latest round of reductions from chairman and chief executive Brian Niccol, who joined the business a year ago. In February, Mr Niccol - who faced backlash over his use of a private jet to travel from California to its offices in Seattle - unveiled plans to make 1,100 workers redundant. In a statement, Starbucks said: "We have conducted a review of our coffeehouse portfolio in North America and certain stores have been identified for closure where it has not been possible to create the physical environment customers and partners (employees) want, and where there isn't a path to financial performance. "In Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA), we have conducted a similar review of our company-operated store portfolio with the goal of ensuring that our stores are correctly located, generating appropriate levels of foot traffic and operating in the right formats. "While the EMEA business is on track to meet its commitment to open 80 new stores in the UK and 150 across EMEA this financial year, some stores in the UK, Switzerland and Austria will close as a result of this portfolio review." Starbucks, established in 1971, now runs over 40,000 outlets worldwide. Starbucks has already closed four sites at the following locations: Ilford, London (225-227 High Road) – closed on Thursday, October 2 Brunel Retail Park, Whitley – closed on Wednesday, October 16 Leyton Mills Retail Park, London – closed on Sunday, October 19 London Bridge Station – closed on Monday, October 20 A further six stores were set to close at the following locations yesterday (Sunday Oct 26): Balham, London – closing Sunday, October 26 Exchange Place, Glasgow – closing Sunday, October 26 Kings Lynn, Norfolk – closing Sunday, October 26 Muswell Hill Broadway, London – closing Sunday, October 26 Holburn Junction, Aberdeen – closing Sunday, October 26 Holland Park, London – closing Sunday, October 26
