A new Costa Coffee drive-thru will open its doors next month near a former airport site.

The branch, on Laundry Road in Minster next to the Premier Inn and opposite the Co-op services and McDonald's, will open on June 18.

The national coffee chain already has five in the district, in Margate, Cliftonville, Broadstairs and Westwood Cross, as well as a drive-thru and sit-in facility at the East Kent Retail Park on Westwood Road near Dunelm and Matalan.

A spokesman for Costa says the new branch, near to the A299 by Manston, will be a store and have a drive-thru lane and create 12 new jobs.

Developer Decimus Property Ltd, which submitted the planning application on behalf of Costa in March 2019, said the café would provide a "vibrant roadside service development".

The scheme was agreed by Thanet District Council's planning committee as a 'sustainable form of development' and includes the widening of the junction at Tothill Street and Laundry Road.

The Costa spokesman says due to Covid, all stores have implemented strict measures to ensure they operate safely, with Perspex screens installed at all counters and a specifically designed serving hatch in the drive-thru lanes.

"We’re delighted to confirm the opening of a brand new Costa Coffee Drive-Thru store in Minster, on Friday, June 18," she said.

"The store, which comprises of both a drive-thru lane and a store, has created 12 new jobs and will allow for members of the local community to either pick-up or sit-in to enjoy their favourite handcrafted coffee.

"The health and safety of our team members and customers is our number one priority, and we’re continually updating our policies and procedures to align with Government guidelines.

"Across all our stores we have implemented strict measures to ensure we operate safely, with high-quality Perspex screens installed at all counters and a bespoke one of a kind serving hatch - specifically designed for Costa Coffee - installed across drive-thru lanes to ensure customers can collect their order with no contact.

"These hatches lower items from the service hatch down to customer's vehicles and have a built-in acrylic hygiene screen to provide maximum protection for both customers and Costa Coffee team members.

"We look forward to safely opening our doors and welcoming members of the local community to the brand new store."

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