Dore-Smith said he was told by Live Nation that his company was chosen as Styles’ “favourite coffee shop”, but the free drinks could not be promoted beforehand.

The owner said Styles covered the usual Saturday takings at both sites on Eastcastle Street and Great Titchfield Street and also added a buffer to ensure all drinks could be paid for.

Dore-Smith said that the star had visited his Eastcastle Street coffee shop “a couple of years ago”, and that they put his song lyrics on their blackboard during his last concerts in London.

On the day of the giveaway, Dore-Smith said they placed posters in the window and put Together, Together tour stickers provided by the promoter on every cup of coffee they sold.

Styles’ music played in the shops and staff wore ties to “dress up” like the artist, who often performs wearing the accessory.

“We put extra staff on, and on the day people just rocked up as normal,” Dore-Smith said.

When customers asked why their drink was free, his staff told them “because Harry Styles is buying everyone’s coffee today,” he said.

He added: “I know they’ve done it with a florist before, and I think they’ve done it with an ice cream parlour before.”

Live Nation declined to comment.

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