Coffee drive-thru closes due to business rate rise

February 4, 2026 - 21:06

A popular coffee drive-thru has poured its final cup, forced to close its doors after a staggering increase in its annual business rates. Owner Frazer Habershon made the difficult decision to cease trading, stating the financial burden had become unsustainable.

Habershon revealed the premises' business rates were set to leap from £7,350 to nearly £32,000 per year. This monumental rise left no viable path for the small business to continue operating profitably. The closure represents a significant loss for the local community, where the drive-thru had become a convenient and familiar stop for commuters and residents seeking their daily caffeine fix.

The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by small businesses and high street operators contending with fixed costs. Business rates, a tax on commercial property, are a particular point of contention, especially for smaller enterprises with tighter margins. This case underscores how sudden and dramatic increases can directly lead to job losses and reduce consumer choice, leaving empty units in their wake. The owner expressed his disappointment at having to close a thriving community business, citing the rates hike as the sole reason for the shutdown.