Costa to create 2,500 new jobs - graduate jobs

Graduates looking for managerial experience at a high street outlet may be interested to hear that Costa, which is owned by leisure giant Whitbread, plans to recruit 2,500 new employees by the end of its financial year as part of its expansion plans.

Whitbread announced the latest news as it reported a 42% increase in underlying profits at Costa to £27.8 million in the half year to September 1.

The strong performance was triggered by new store openings as well as the successful launch of new drinks, such as its extended iced coffee range.

The total number of Costa stores has now reached 2,000.

Whitbread expects to have 3,000 Costa outlets over the next five years.

The leisure giant, which also owns budget hotel chain Premier Inn, posted a 15% increase in its underlying pre-tax profits to £174.9 million during the half year.

Premier Inn's like-for-like sales rose 5% during the period.

Copyright Press Association 2011