almost £1,000 of their holiday pay was deducted from their salary, despite being contracted to work 48 hours a week. The report said that baristas and employees at managerial level had complained about the numerous deductions outlined in Costa Coffee franchisees' contracts. A former manager was quoted as saying she had £150 deducted from her wages after having been five minutes late opening the store. Other fines outlined in the contracts were for uniform that were damaged when returned to the employer, excessive waste and till discrepancies. A Costa Coffee spokesperson responded that an independent audit had been launched. In January 2023, an investigation by animal rights group Viva! found cows that were emaciated, lame and struggling to walk on a farm that supplies Costa Coffee. The animals were also handled roughly, with one being hit in the udder and others being slapped or having their heads pushed, footage suggested. Costa Book Awards Costa Coffee has been the sponsor of the Costa Book Awards (formerly the Whitbread Book Awards) since 2006. On 10 June 2022 they announced this would end. See also List of coffeehouse chains References External links 1971 establishments in England British companies established in 1971 Restaurants established in 1971 1995 mergers and acquisitions 2019 mergers and acquisitions Coffee brands Coca-Cola acquisitions Coffeehouses and cafés in the United Kingdom Companies based in Bedfordshire Dunstable Whitbread former divisions and subsidiaries British subsidiaries of foreign companies