From cool beans to has-beens? The Covid threat to Britain's coffee shops

Why the chains and independents at the heart of Britain’s high streets are in deep trouble

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It’s the multibillion-pound industry that kept on growing, based on a bean that Britons couldn’t seem to get enough of: coffee.

Until, that is, the pandemic struck. As is the case with many businesses hit hard by coronavirus, the ubiquitous coffee chains that have powered city centres and high streets across the UK are in deep trouble.