A coffee giant is set to close one of two outlets in East Kilbride town centre next month.
The Costa Coffee in The Olympia will shut on December 18, with the firm saying they are working to transfer staff to other outlets in the area if possible.
But the closure is a blow for EK, East Kilbride with the adjacent multi-million Hub development seeing a number of eateries failing to survive since it was unveiled in 2016.
This included The Filling Station and The Handmade Burger Co - which shut after just nine months of trading.
There is a second Costa Coffee in The Plaza area of EK town centre.
A Costa worker said: "It is a bit of a shock for us. They are closing this one down in five weeks time.
"No one really know what's going to happen. Apparently it has come down the rates.
"This Costa was based on the footfall the restaurants at The Hub would bring too. But since the pandemic, some have never fully recovered or reopened."
The Costa Coffee next to The Hub is used as a meeting point for the ice rink and families and skaters who use the facility.
A family member said: "Gutted by this news. Can't understand it.
"The Costa at the ice rink is always busy. We use this as a place to meet up for a cuppa and keep an eye on the kids at skating.
"I feel bad for the staff too, but I really hope they find something suitable to replace it with and keep the seating area."
A Costa Coffee spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the Costa Coffee store at East Kilbride Olympia will close permanently on Sunday, December 18 due to the lease ending at the premises.
"We are currently working with our team members from the store on transfer opportunities to separate Costa Coffee stores in the local area and will be able to update further on this in due course.”
EK, East Kilbride, have been contacted for comment.
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