TWO loyal customers of Grimsby's Starbucks are making a last-ditch attempt to save it from closure.
Starbucks has taken the "difficult decision" to close its branch in Freshney Place just six days before Christmas, as reported.
The coffee company first opened its café in the centre in November 2001, but it will now close on December 19.
Rumours of a dispute between Freshney Place and Starbucks have been dismissed, with the American coffee giant insisting the closure – which is planned for December 19 – was the result of a review into its stores.
But now a keen Starbucks customer is launching a petition to show Starbucks and Freshney Place how missed the delicious coffee will be.
New mum Rebecca Burnett, 27, of Scartho Top, and her sister Gill Coney, 25, are gathering support from other coffee fans in a bid to convince Starbucks to make a dramatic u-turn.
"It's really disappointing to hear Starbucks intends to close, but we hope this will show them that their Grimsby store is one worth keeping," said Rebecca.
"The location of it means it is a great meeting point. I meet my sister there every Tuesday for a coffee.
"It's so sad that it could now close, especially just a few days before Christmas.
"The staff in there are so friendly, and they were very accommodating for me when I was breast feeding after I had my baby.
"I can't quite understand why they would decide to close, as it is always so busy up there at all times of the day.
"I was really upset for the staff too as many of them could end up losing their jobs and they do not deserve that just before Christmas.
"Hopefully people will really get behind the petition; the more people who sign it the stronger a message it will send."
Rebecca and Gill will be at the Grimsby Starbucks in Freshney Place with their petition from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, December 14.
A spokesperson for Freshney Place said the centre had asked Starbucks to stay until after Christmas, and had also offered the chain alternative sites.
Starbucks said it would work to redeploy staff to other stores but, after the closure, the nearest Starbucks to Grimsby will be in Hull.
A spokesperson for the coffee chain said: "We can confirm that the store in Freshney Place will close on December 19.
"This was a difficult decision after being part of the local community for more than ten years.
"Like many other retailers, and as part of the normal course of our business over the year, we regularly review our stores to ensure they're contributing to a sustainable business for the future.
"Consequently, we took the difficult decision to close our store in Freshney Place Shopping Centre."
Rebecca and Gill have also set up a Facebook page: S.O.S- Save our Starbucks Grimsby.
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