Woman 'amazed' after Waterlooville Costa Coffee gives her cup on the house for rough sleeper

On Monday, March 23, Lynne Gauntlett from Purbrook went into the Costa Coffee shop in Wellington Retail Park, Waterlooville, asking for a latte for the rough sleeper outside.

But when staff heard who the coffee was for, they told Lynne to put her purse away and give the coffee to him for free.

Mrs Gauntlett, 74, usually gives the rough sleeper a coffee from Waitrose, courtesy of her store card.

She said: ‘I always go up on a Monday and it’s always the same homeless man outside Waitrose – he’s a lovely bloke.

‘Every week I get him the free coffee on my Waitrose card, but because of the virus they were closed, so I went to Costa instead.

‘I was chatting to the staff behind the counter and was getting my purse out when I mentioned that it was for the man outside; the young assistant then said to me ‘in that case put your money away and give it to him with our regards’.

‘It was so lovely, just a smashing thing for them to do.’

Mrs Gauntlett said it was an unexpected but welcome gesture, and wanted to publicly thank the Costa Coffee staff.

She said: ‘I know it’s only a £2.85 latte, but that’s a hot drink for someone who doesn’t have much else to keep him warm.

‘They were so kind to someone they don’t even know – it’s that sort of generosity that we need in our society, especially with everything happening in the world at the moment.

‘As for the homeless chap, he was so impressed by it and thankful for the drink.’

A spokeswoman from Costa Coffee said: ‘We have been overwhelmed to hear of the positive and uplifting stories playing out in our local communities.

‘This act of kindness demonstrates true community spirt from both our team members and customers – an extended thanks goes out to them.'