Starbucks embark on store refresh ahead of the Olympics
Prolific coffee chain Starbucks has announced it intends to revamp its network of cafes to coincide with the Olympics and Queen’s Jubilee this summer, commencing with the chains 70 London outlets.
This will attempt to move away from the standardised approach taken thus far to pursue individually designed stores that fit in with their local neighbourhoods.
In addition six “bespoke” coffee shop designs will also be introduced, including the newly unveiled Vigo Street which boasts a mahogany ceiling originally sourced from a coffee house in Damascus by the sites previous owners – a carpet store.
This has been painstakingly restored and lit to serve as a showpiece for the brand.
Thom Breslin, director of Design Starbucks UK and Ireland says: “Vigo Street is in one of the most prominent neighbourhoods in London for international visitors and Londoners alike and it is our responsibility to show up beautifully and in celebration of our coffee heritage here.
“As such we have given it high-profile design treatment, restoring and celebrating the original features including the Turkish hand-carved mahogany and mother-of-pearl ceiling and adding features such as unique chandeliers, glass mosaic tiles and bespoke wallpaper.”
The store design concept has already been rolled out to several UK locations, including Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.