The first drive-thru Costa at a British motorway service area (MSA) has been opened by Roadchef at its Rownhams East site in Hampshire.

The development on the M27, between junctions 3 and 4, adds to the range of services on offer at Rownhams, which includes an eat-in Costa, McDonald’s, WHSmith and Fresh Food Café.

In addition to Costa coffee the drive-thru offers a range of sandwiches, cakes and snacks.

In a bid to ensure excellent customer service, Costa’s reigning global ‘Barista of the Year’, and Roadchef employee, Klara Rohel, has been responsible for the training programme devised for her colleagues at the drive-thru.

Sean Smallman, area director for Rownhams East, said: “The new Costa drive-thru provides a quick and efficient service for customers who want a refreshment with the convenience of not having to leave their car. We believe this addition will provide another excellent option for our customers, alongside the great brands already available at Rownhams.”

Simon Turl, CEO of Roadchef, added: “We are very excited to extend our partnership with Costa Coffee and are confident the first motorway drive-thru will prove a valuable addition to our business. The unit looks fantastic, and has excellent visibility from the M27, ensuring drivers can make a quick stop-off and enjoy a delicious Costa coffee while taking a break from their journeys.”