A COSTA near Basingstoke has reopened after a £100,000 investment.

The cafe in Chineham Shopping Centre was closed for a week while a refurbishment took place.

It reopened on Thursday, February 1, with brand-new furniture, decorations and big plans for an onsite bakery. 

Basingstoke's mayor, Councillor David Leeks, praised the store on the new look before cutting the ribbon in front of the store. 

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Basingstoke Gazette: Cherry Matthews and Migle PapiliauskaiteCherry Matthews and Migle Papiliauskaite (Image: Newsquest)

Cherry Matthews, the multi-site manager who has worked for Costa for nearly 15 years, said: "It is looking amazing, the transition walking into the store is incredible - it is such a difference. 

"It is a lot brighter, all the furniture has completely changed and it's a lot more spacious for customers. We've got the digital menu boards now too." 

@basingstokegazette Costa in Chineham has re-opened with a new look 👀 #basingstoke #costa #chineham #coffee ♬ original sound - Basingstoke Gazette

Store manager, Migle Papiliauskaite, who has worked in the Chineham store for five years, told the Gazette that a lot of regular customers were excited to see the new look. 

She said: "It's really uplifting, everyone is so excited to be here. There's not many cafes here now, there's the vegan cafe, but I think people missed us.

"It's exciting, in May we're going to start baking our own pastries which will be great." 

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Basingstoke Gazette: Brand new furniture and digital boards in the new storeBrand new furniture and digital boards in the new store (Image: Newsquest)

CEO of the franchise, Antony Tagliamonti, travelled to the store for the grand opening. 

Mr Tagliamonti's franchise, Scoffs Group, is one the largest franchised partner with Costa Coffee in the UK, and also owns stores along the M3 in Fleet. 

He said: "Investment in this store has been overdue for a long time, mainly due to Covid pushing various things back. 

"It is one of our newer designs, it's called uplift, it's so much brighter, it's more airy and open. It now looks a lot bigger than it used to - which was a big problem for this store. 

"We've just been sitting at the back and listening to the customers - everyone is so positive about the new look."