Canadian coffee shop chain Tim Hortons is to open a branch in Caerphilly.
The brand is set to open a drive-thru at the former Pizza Hut on the Gallagher Retail Park.
A planning application has yet to be made, but it is understood that a deal has already been signed.
Asked by Caerphilly Observer if it was opening a store in the town, a spokeswoman for Tim Hortons said: “While we know lots of towns and cities are excited to get their first Tim Hortons, we always keep our donuts close to our chest until we’re ready to make an announcement.”
The new store will follow branch openings in Cardiff and is part of a major push by the chain into the UK market, which was announced last year.
Established by former ice hockey player Tim Horton in 1964, the chain has 4,500 stores worldwide. Eight out of ten cups of coffee in Canada are sold at Tim Hortons.
In addition to its coffee, the chain also sells a range of breakfast items, wraps, cakes and donuts.
There had been recent speculation that Pizza Hut would be returning after workers were seen at the building. The restaurant closed its doors last year and the premises was hit by a deliberate fire in February this year.
However the company last month confirmed it would not be returning.
A Pizza Hut spokeswoman said: “There are no plans to reopen the Hut, we are simply undertaking maintenance repairs to the building.”
A two edge sword while this will provide some sort of employment to the area, it will close smaller business in the town who have coffee shops
Just a question here as a ‘newbie’ and as someone who lives on a tight budget…..really Caerphilly, out of all the retail outlets it lacks, needs a ‘coffee shop’? Does Caerphilly realise how many of it’s residents are living in poverty?
I agree with you, I don’t think the customers are out there. Visitors and shoppers can buy reasonably good coffee at ‘the Grazing Ground’, ‘Volare, ‘the Malcolm Uphill’ and so on. I live in the town so if I want a superb cup of fresh ground coffee I just go gome and make one from Taylors No.4 beans,
Where this outlet is situated I believe there is a Macdonalds that serves, apparently, reasonable coffee. Most of us in this town are on a tight budget and will never use this place. Perhaps a wrong business descision?
Got to say I disagree with you for the first time Rich.
It’s an out of town retail park and even though they aren’t the best they are an unfortunate reality.
The market place will determine whether Tim Hortons will survive or not.
Add to this the fact that some people may be on a budget other people are not. If people want it then it will survive.
Time will tell Pete,makes no difference to me but I don’t think this coffee shop will get sufficient custom in Crossways Retail Park. The Pizza Hut closed, the Tesco looks empty every time I pass by and Mark & Spencers is on the way. What if M&S has their own coffee shop?
As you say the market will be the deciding factor, but Tim Horton’s will have to be very good to attract enough business here.
Yeah I don’t think it will last either but I don’t think it will effect town in any significant way.
I don’t think the financial status of Caerphilly residents will effect its business model either. If it does fail it’ll be because of cultural reasons, we just don’t know Tim Hortons and don’t tend to drive to retail parks for coffee.
Having said that, I’m constantly amazed by how many teenagers hang around that park and other the McDonald’s, can’t understand the attraction.
The town will definitely not be harmed by Tim Hortons but for them to make money the locals will have to gain better jobs. The exception, and possible saviour of this enterprise, is the weird behaviour of teenagers, and those a bit older, that you mention.
They claim to have no money but do hang around these designer fast food joints and coffee places spending large sums on over priced garbage. We used to ride motorbikes to places in Cardiff, Newport and to our own ‘Round Caff’ but considered this a once or twice a week treat. Otherwise it was a ride around to a friendly Mam of one of the group.
If you are reading this Junita Williams thanks for all the bacon sandwiches, coffee and free overnight accomodation for a mixed bag of girls and boys who you would find sprawled all over your lovely home! You are much appreciated and not forgotten.
I really think we could use a harvesters cheap cheerful good food good for familys