Price of a latte hits £3 as coffee shops suffer

THE price of the nation’s favourite cup of coffee has topped £3 at major chains for the first time.

The average price of a latte has risen by a record 11 per cent in a year to £3.25, according to research by the coffee industry analysts Allegra.

At the same time, the cost of a flat white – also popular – rose by 30p to an average of £3.14.

The increase comes amid rising prices for coffee, milk, energy bills and staff, with firms such as Pret a Manger giving workers two pay rises last year in a bid to retain them.

Most major coffee chains have regional pricing, but Pret charges £3.30 for lattes and flat whites in most of its stores.

Caffe Nero charges £3.25 for a flat white and £3.15 for a latte nationally, with prices generally higher in London.

At Starbucks in London’s Victoria station, tall lattes and flat whites cost £3.55, but are cheaper around the country.

Working from home during the pandemic dealt a hammer blow to the nation’s coffee shops, although there are still nearly 10,000 chain outlets across the country.