Starbucks says thank you to frontline workers with free Tall filter coffee


  • As part of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Train Tour of the UK, Starbucks is giving away free Tall filter coffees to transport and NHS workers across the country
  • On Monday 14 December, NHS staff, first responders, care workers, and transport workers with a Rail Staff Travel Card are entitled to a free Tall filter coffee from any Starbucks store in Britain
  • The #RoyalTrainTour giveaway follows the launch of the Starbucks NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) Christmas fundraising campaign

Today, Starbucks announced that it is giving away free Tall filter coffees to thank transport workers and NHS staff for their work across the country throughout this difficult year, as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s #RoyalTrainTour travels on its final day.

Available all day on Monday 14th December, all transport workers carrying a Rail Staff Travel Card, as well as NHS staff, first responders and care workers can order a free Tall filter coffee from any Starbucks store in Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) when they show their work identity card.

The free Tall filter coffee for NHS and transport workers announcement follows the launch of Starbucks NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) Christmas fundraising campaign starting today.

Part of an ongoing partnership between Starbucks and NHSCT, which will soon see Starbucks stores across the UK paired with a local NHSCT charity, all the money raised from NHSCT’s Christmas campaign will provide additional support to NHS workers, volunteers and patients that goes above and beyond the health service. This includes mental health support, hot meals, a place to rest for staff during long shifts, as well as funding vital hospice and social care services.

Earlier this week, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were named joint patrons of NHS Charities Together - the couple's first joint patronage beyond their own Royal Foundation.

Ellie Orton, Chief Executive Officer, NHS Charities Together said, “We are grateful for our ongoing relationship with Starbucks and their offer to provide NHS, first responders, transport and care workers a free coffee is a continuation of the appreciation everyone has for the people who are integral to keeping the country on its feet”

Alex Rayner, general manager, Starbucks UK, said, “Starbucks is committed to strengthening the communities we serve in, and as part of our ongoing support for the NHS we wanted to say a huge thank you to the frontline workers that live and work in our communities, who despite all the challenges they’ve faced this year, have kept the country moving.”

Starbucks has a long history of supporting the NHS, with our Covid-19 response this year including:

  • Staff volunteering activities and donations
  • Blue Light Card offering 10% to NHS staff and other frontline workers since 2018
  • 450,000 free drinks from café’s and food service donations over the course of the pandemic
  • Over 500,000 packaged food parcels including soft drink, coffee, cakes and biscuits donated throughout lockdown to NHS staff, charities and foodbanks
  • Long-term partnership with NHSCharities Together to pair our stores with local NHS charities across the country.
  • NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) Christmas fundraising campaign

The free Tall filter coffee is available to all NHS staff, first responders, care workers, and transport workers in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) all day, on Monday 14th December.