A new County Durham Starbucks is expected to be opened next week after the hot drink giants confirmed a date online. 

Starbucks, which already has several venues in the North East, will open its Stanley branch on Friday, March 10 at 6am. 

The new Starbucks facility is all part of a £2.6m development and was granted planning permission in July 2020 after Durham County Council deemed it more appropriate than the empty land that some people park their cars on.

Read more: Delves Lane Post Office set to reopen in Consett this March

For Starbucks fans,  the first 100 drive-thru or in-store customers you will receive a free Starbucks reusable cup.

Alongside the drive-thru Starbucks, Dominos and Greggs have joined the Stanley-based business park.

The outlets are expected to create 65 jobs, with 14 full-time positions and 51 part-time roles.

Alongside the job creation and the new outlets, 39 car park spaces will also be provided.

Despite the opening of the site, the arrival of the three food giants has divided opinion in Stanley, with some believing it’s a great idea for the derelict land, while others feel it doesn’t promote healthy eating.

Taking to social media, one resident from the town welcomed the site by saying: “Fantastic news! Better than the eyesore it currently is. I don't think it will cause traffic chaos and food shops or not, I'd rather see some investment in Stanley than none.”

However, another thought it was a bad idea, adding: “Is this a town where everyone just eats junk drinks coffee and has their nails done?”