Starbucks to boost evening trade with hot food, wine and beer offerings

The Starbucks Evening Programme, already in operation in the US, has launched at Starbucks' Stansted Airport site where it will offer hot meals, shareable hot and cold snacks and wine and beers. 

Dishes on offer will include Truffle Mac & Cheese, Braised British Beef Chorizo and Prawn Skewers with Chilli Ketchup while there will also be new desserts available to match the coffee outlet's drinks.

Beers and wines have chosen specifically by Starbucks and food travel experts SSP UK, who operate the Stansted Airport site in partnership. It said there were no plans to start selling spirits. 

Ian Cranna, vp marketing and category for Starbucks EMEA said: “We are delighted to launch the first Evenings Programme in the UK. Providing a welcoming coffeehouse environment has always been our focus and now we can offer something new for the evening too.

"I think our customers will love the new range of terrific food and carefully selected wines and beers which will provide even more choice and reasons to visit us later in the day."

Simon Smith, chief executive UK and Ireland for SSP UK, said he backed the Evening Programme which would offer Starbucks' dedicated customers more reasons to stay longer and visit at different times. 

"Starbucks is a brand which is synonymous with great coffee and introducing this programme will tempt our coffee lovers to experience a new range of delicious foods and carefully selected alcoholic beverages in our newly renovated store," he said. 

Following the launch of the Evening Programme at Stansted Airport, Starbucks said it would roll the programme out to other 'selected stores', although none have been revealed yet.  

The Evening Programme is already a success in the US and in operation at 30 locations, including Seattle, Portland, Southern California, Chicago and Atlanta.