Falkirk Costa Coffee to open its doors on Christmas Day to lonely and homeless people

The store will be open from midday to 2pm to greet anyone who could use some company with a friendly smile and a listening ear on what could be the loneliest day of the year for some people.

The coffee shop has also been collecting jackets, coats and shoes to give out to the homeless and anyone else who may be struggling during the festive period.

On Christmas Day staff will be handing out cups of tea and coffee alongside soup provided by Tesco and Morrisons as well as vouchers for Sports Direct so homeless people can treat themselves to a new pair of shoes.

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https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/police-appeal-help-find-missing-50-year-old-man-3054239

https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/people/langlees-pupils-launch-tartan-re-usable-facemasks-3054153

Debbie Beveridge, manager at Costa Coffee said: “We have been collecting clothes at the store and have been working alongside the retail park management to keep the clothes in isolation as to adhere to Covid safety rules before handing them out.

"This is our fourth year helping the homeless and lonely people on Christmas Day, a lot of my staff will be coming in to hand out soup and a barbour will be coming to give the homeless people a haircut and a shave.

"A lot of our customers who buy food and drinks for some of the guys that sit outside of the shops in the retail park have also volunteered their time to come and help out – two hours is not a long time in a day, so it is good to open the doors on Christmas to the homeless and lonely people to give them something warm to eat and to have a chat.”

Debbie and her team have the have the full support of Costa Coffee and all of the other shops in the retail park to bring some festive cheer this winter.

"Costa is very much behind us and all of the other stores around us are helping out as well,” she adds. “My team are fully onboard too, last year we had music and Christmas carols.

"It is good to give something back to the community and to provide a bit of normality at a time when some people might be struggling.”

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