COSTA is opening a new coffee shop in Worthing on Saturday January 20.

Eight new jobs have been created at the store in Broadwater and the official ribbon cutting takes place at 10am by Deputy Mayor Cllr Paul Baker at 10am.

A cheque for £250 will be presented to Ashdown Centre manager Charlotte Brackley and some of the staff.

The centre provides short breaks from caring for families of children and young people with special needs and disabilities.

Its Ashdown Club also offers fun sessions for more than 70 families in Worthing and surrounding areas.

Charlotte Brackley said: “I’m delighted that Costa has chosen to support the Ashdown Centre.

“It’s such a worthwhile cause as it provides respite from caring for families across Worthing and beyond, providing a caring and safe environment for children with a wide range of needs including those with autistic spectrum conditions, cerebral palsy, Down’s Syndrome and ADHD.

“We’ll definitely be able to put the money to good use.”

Cllr Paul Baker said: “I am honoured to be opening the new Costa coffee store in Broadwater.

“The new Costa will not only create new jobs, facilities and opportunities for local residents but will also support the area’s youth.

“I wish the new store every success.”

The new Costa in Broadwater will be headed byDave Herrington who has been working in both the Storrington and Goring Costas.

He said: “The new Costa in Broadwater will become a focal point for the local community to come and experience great coffee in a friendly and relaxed environment.

“The whole team is looking forward to welcoming the people of Worthing to our new Costa, which we hope will quickly become a key part of the local community.”

All staff have been provided with barista training to be able to serve customers.

Premiere Coffee, the locally-based franchise company behind the new store, is a strong supporter of helping young people from across the south get back into employment.

It offers them training and apprenticeship opportunities both in-store and at its training academy in Southampton.

Michael Flores, Costa’s operations manager, said: “We’re so pleased that the Deputy Mayor and the team from the Ashdown Centre could help us officially open our new store.

“As well as serving the best coffee, we want to embed ourselves as part of the community and what better way to do that than involve ourselves with the young people of the town.

“We expect young people and their families to be regular customers in our new store and look forward to welcoming them, and the local community, to enjoy the Costa experience with us.”

Costa voucher books have been distributed to 28,000 households in and around Worthing.

Costa has grown to become the sector leader within the UK and the second largest international coffee shop operator. It has more than 2,000 stores in 25 countries.