Folk who have frequented Tottenham Court Road may wonder what the lone Costa coffee building is. It turns out it silently bears witness to the haunting memories of the Second World War.
Nestled among the vibrant shops and contemporary architecture, this unassuming coffee shop holds within its walls a poignant history of resilience. During the height of The Blitz in 1940, London faced a relentless barrage of German bombing raids.
No neighbourhood was spared, including Tottenham Court Road, which was transformed into a battleground of destruction and despair. The now-Costa building, which once stood proud and prominent, was tragically caught in the crossfire of bombs.
The fateful night that changed the course of this area's history forever took place on a cold November evening. The deafening sound of sirens pierced the air, warning citizens to take cover. Amidst the chaos, a Luftwaffe bomber released its deadly payload, obliterating entire blocks and reducing countless buildings to rubble. Among the ruins, the Costa coffee shop stood as a chilling reminder of the destruction wrought upon the city.
In the aftermath of the devastation, the people of Tottenham Court Road rallied together to rebuild their beloved community from the ashes. Nowadays it’s a Costa which people love to frequent. One shopper said: “Staff are amazing and welcoming and make the best hot chocolate my fav place to have a coffee, so chill and good vibes.”
But not everyone’s convinced. A slightly more frustrated customer said: “Could you please fix your alarm. Second time this week the alarm is running in the evening and it is hard to sleep. Edit: happened again several times after they 'fixed' it.”
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