Ten Leeds' jobs as Costa open Merrion shop

Coffee chain, Costa, will establish a second outlet at Leeds’ Merrion Centre and create 10 jobs as a result.

The chain have signed a lease on a 3740 sq ft unit at Town Centre Securities’ (TCS) ‘New Front’ scheme on Merrion Way, on the outer edge of the shopping centre.

Helen Green, associate director for Town Centre Securities PLC said: “Costa trades very well at Woodhouse Lane so we’re really pleased to include a second store at the Merrion Centre as part of the New Front scheme.

“This is one of ten units that form an 80,000 sq ft leisure scheme right opposite the First Direct Arena which opened this week. We are creating a destination that offers a great range of food and drink choices that will be popular with shoppers, office workers and visitors to the Arena alike. This development, part of the new Arena Quarter, is really going to enhance this part of the city centre.”

A Costa spokesperson commented: “As the UK’s favourite coffee shop and one of the success stories on the UK high street, we are proud to be part of the New Front scheme by opening our Merrion Way Costa store, our second retail outlet within Leeds’ Merrion Centre.

“We work closely with planning departments and developers including that of TCS, to continue to open new stores for the benefit of local communities, creating new jobs and providing attractive and popular meeting places. We will continue to work with our Merrion Way team to deliver great tasting coffee for Leeds coffee lovers whilst doing all that we can to integrate ourselves within the local community.”

The New Front scheme will incorporate bars, cafes, restaurants and a gym, as well as a 1,000 space multi-storey car park.

Leeds-based commercial law firm Shulmans acted on behalf of TCS. Savills and Central Retail are the agents acting for TCS on the scheme.