This Costa Coffee branch is a good one as coffee chain branches go. I wouldn't reccomend it at all during the weekend though, as due to its central location it seems to get swamped. As Sarah-Jane B. said, you wont find anything particularly charming, unique or memorable about this place - you'll find dirty dark wood tables, crumb-covered cosy sofas, overpriced toasties, mediocre coffees, deceptive cakes (i.e. they look delicious but will usually disappoint, that's if the £2.50 you forked out for a slice of shortbread hasn't already put a bad taste in your mouth). The drinks really aren't great - my hot chocolate the other day was cold and not mixed...
But anyway, it's way to easy to dwell on how bloody depressing any coffee chain is, and this particular branch does have one selling point... it's big dark downstairs. This part is often quiet, even empty in the week, and it's great if you have a large group/want to stay for a while/want a cosy seat/want to quietly read. It's dingy and any atmosphere pretty much absent, but it's also handy if yo're a cheapskate - buy a small coffee and eat your own lunch down there as the staff never venture down! -- This description prob makes me sound like a right saddo, but I used to work literally nextdoor so I became quite a regular - don't bother with this place if it's any effort whatsoever to go! read more