Construction of Thornaby’s first Starbucks drive-thru at Teesside Industrial Estate reached a significant milestone this week as the initial steelwork began to rise, transforming the Fleck Way site near the Anson Farm pub.

Contractors CT Steel oversaw the erection of the steel frame, utilising a crane supplied by GHS Crane Hire to carefully position the beams and columns that will form the backbone of the coffee shop. This marks a visible step forward in the project, with steelwork anticipated to be completed by the end of the week, keeping the construction on track for completion later this year. This drive-thru is part of a broader plan by site owners UK Land Estates to revitalise the industrial estate.

Tim Witty, Development Director at UK Land Estates, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “We are delighted to welcome Starbucks to Teesside Industrial Estate. One of the things we take most pride in when developing our business parks is ensuring they have all of the amenities that businesses require, be it food and drink vendors, gyms and in some cases, even hotels.”

“We also strive to do everything we can to ensure our developments really add value to the communities that house them, both economically and socially, and in Starbucks we have a partner who will help us deliver just that for Thornaby. It will create jobs for local people while also giving others and businesses a new destination to visit, it’ll be great for the area.”

The drive-thru, situated near an existing parade of shops, including Subway and Greggs, is anticipated to serve both employees of existing businesses and visitors to the estate. It is viewed as an essential addition to the evolving landscape of Teesside Industrial Estate, offering a convenient amenity while contributing to its ongoing transformation.

The project has been met with enthusiasm from local residents and businesses alike, who see the arrival of Starbucks as a positive sign of growth and development in the area. The drive-thru is expected to create new job opportunities and provide a popular spot for coffee lovers to enjoy their favourite beverages.