Aberdeen’s Caffe Nero on Union Street to permanently close today

The coffee chain has announced one of its three Union Street units will shut as the lease has run out.

By Cameron Roy

May 17 2023, 9:06 pm

Caffe Nero closed in May, and now Black Sheep Coffee could be moving in. Image: Cameron Roy/ DC Thomson

Caffe Nero will close one of its Union Street branches for the final time today.

The coffee shop on the corner with Market Street will shut at 4pm today.

The chain said the lease on the building has run out, so the decision has been made to focus on the other two Union Street branches.

All staff will be relocated to those units.

A sign on the door states: “It is with great sadness that we regret to inform you that this store will permanently close this Thursday, May 18 at 4pm.

“We would like to take a moment to thank all our wonderful customers for their continued support over the years.”

Caffe Nero unexpectedly announced its closure. Image: Cameron Roy/DC Thomson.

Caffe Nero told The P&J they are committed to their other stores in the Granite City, and will look at other suitable sites in the future.

The firm’s two other locations on Union Street at numbers 452 and 160 will be staying open.

It is the latest hit to the Granite Mile, which has been under pressure for years as the number of empty shops continues to grow.

A community-led taskforce called Our Union Street, was created by former FTSE 100 chief executive Bob Keiller to help rescue the iconic Aberdeen street.

A campaign to save Union Street has been underway. Image: Wullie Marr/DC Thomson.

Social media users react to Aberdeen Caffe Nero closure

A number of social media users commented on the shock announcement.

Doug Gordon posted: “If the powers that be in Aberdeen are not worried about closures they had better start worrying fast. This is not a good sign.”

Vickfor Jose Lucani wrote: “Without a doubt the best coffee of this style in town. Strategic location, excellent customer service, the quality of the coffee is incomparable and from different regions of the world.”

Linda Montgomery Carnegie Young commented: “Aw such a shame, love Caffe Nero. They are all lovely with wonderful staff, so sad. Hope they can relocate somewhere else in the city in the future.”

‘Looking for other suitable sites’

A Caffe Nero spokesman said: “We are closing our store on Union Street as the lease has reached its natural end. We have two other stores trading on the street, which will remain open and we are currently looking for other suitable sites in the area.

“All the staff in the store are being relocated to other stores.”