Birmingham’s first coffee drive-thru to open at Five Ways Edgbaston

Costa, the nation’s favourite coffee shop chain, has completed a deal, brokered by Redleaf, with major landowner Calthorpe Estates. Planning has been secured to extend and develop an existing 1,575 sq ft listed building located in a prime position at the gateway entrance to the Calthorpe Estate on Calthorpe Road.

A £1.1m construction programme will see the full refurbishment of the site which will comprise a 3,064 sq ft coffee shop, with dedicated drive thru facilities and 11 car parking spaces. The development is scheduled to commence this Spring, with launch of the store anticipated in the summer.

As part of the plans the existing spa will relocate to new refurbished premises on Highfield Road within the Estate.

Tom Swords, Acquisitions Manager at Costa Coffee, said: “We have been looking for the right site in Birmingham city centre for some time and are delighted to have secured this unit. Located on a main arterial route in and out of the city, it is in the perfect position for us to bring great coffee to the coffee lovers of Birmingham.”

This part of the city centre has seen significant investment in recent years with the £40million redevelopment of Calthorpe House and the launch of a new Morrisons store adjacent to this unit. Calthorpe Estates which owns the land has further development plans that will continue the improvements and modernisation of the area.

Tim Abbotts, Calthorpe Estates, said: “The addition of a high quality coffee retailer has been part of our strategic plans to add to our growing Edgbaston centre customer offer. Our long-term vision for this part of Edgbaston is to provide comprehensive retail and leisure facilities that fully support the local working and resident community as well as providing a draw to visitors passing through.

Birmingham-based retail agency Redleaf acted on behalf of Costa Coffee; Brook Smith Planning, planning consultants for the scheme, advised and successfully secured planning consent for the use. Project manager and cost consultant DBK is also appointed as project manager, employer’s agent, quantity surveyor and construction, design and management co-ordinator (CDMC).

Paul Bishton, Redleaf, said: “The coffee market goes from strength to strength in the UK. The high street is of course a mature market for branded and independents alike, but after a major trial period by the branded coffee chains, we are at the start of another coffee revolution as the major players now roll-out their respective drive-thru concepts. This is opening new untapped markets and will secure future development of their businesses.

“We have been actively seeking drive-thru opportunities nationwide for a number of years and we are very excited about the development of this fantastic characterful building in such a prominent location in Birmingham. The site has a large community of local business people and residents within walking distance of the store as well as its prime position at Five Ways Island we know this will be a successful addition to the Edgbaston area.”

In 2013, Redleaf’s agency team advised on over £20m worth of leisure and retail agency transactions; while its development arm has reached practical completion on a £2m retail-led scheme in Birmingham, a £2m retail development in Kettering and has acquired a one acre development site opposite the Ricoh stadium in Coventry.