COFFEE giant Starbucks has sold its final caramel macchiato in Reigate.
The multinational has lost out in the town's coffee wars and closed on Friday after five years in High Street.
The Mirror understands the decision to pull out of the town was due to falling revenue, although nobody from the chain was available to officially comment to the Mirror.
There has been plenty of competition; Starbucks's departure leaves at least eight coffee shops, or outlets which sell coffee, remaining in the town centre, including big chains Caffe Nero, which opened in the old town hall in 2008 and Costa, which moved into Cage Yard last year.
Disappointed customers were calling in for their final coffee on Friday, as farewell cards from were displayed on the counter.
One read: "Thanks for everything and best wishes for the future. From the bloke who has the grande black and has been here since day one."
When quizzed, a member of staff said the store was closing due to falling custom.
The closure coincides with a national furore about the firm's avoidance of UK tax, which made headlines last week.
Marc Cullender, of Cullenders in Bell Street, said: "It doesn't really surprise me. I think it was running at a loss for a number of years. The rent was extortionate. With all the other major chains here I guess eventually they couldn't run it at a loss.
"Are there too many coffee shops? With regards to independents we seem to all survive.
"Here, we are a deli which sells coffee. And my coffee sales have increased year-on-year. I think there is enough business to go round."
The departure of Starbucks came less than a week after Westwood Rocks, the jewellery store opposite in High Street, closed.
However, another nearby empty unit is due to be filled when Whistles opens in the former Juice store next month.
Pop-up restaurant The Sweet Potato, in London Road, which last opened almost a year ago, is also up for sale.
