Roasting for coffee chain over lack of Welsh in new store

A COFFEE shop chain has been given a roasting by customers who are unhappy with the lack of Welsh signage in their newly opened cafe.

Costa Coffee opened their new branch in Caernarfon (pictured) a week ago, but they have already been accused of a lack of respect after confirming on Twitter that their menu “will not be bilingual”.

Some customers have taken offence over Costa’s decision.

Local politicians are now urging the company to reconsider their decision and insist that using the Welsh language is very good for business.

Hywel Williams, MP for Arfon, said: “Costa have one of the most prominent sites in one of the most popular tourist destinations in North West Wales.

“Apart from a few words of Welsh, the Costa store could be anywhere from Luton to Wolverhampton.

“They are not only letting the tourism industry down by not promoting the unique character of this area, but also ignoring the main language of three quarters of their bilingual customers.

“I hope the company will consider the concerns expressed by local people and engage constructively to remedy this oversight.”

Although the shop does display some signs in Welsh, customers feel their menus should also be translated to accommodate the Welsh-speaking population of the town.

Some campaigners are now threatening to boycott the store in a bid to get the firm to alter their menus.

One man said on twitter: “Isn’t there a legal requirement for bilingualism? I won’t shop there until it is.”

Another customer tweeted: “Come on Costa Coffee, a bilingual policy in Caernarfon is just common sense. I like your coffee but am put off by this lack of respect.”

Costa Coffee have been approached for a comment.

This is not the first time that the coffee chain has come under fire –a woman with Tourettes Syndrome was asked to leave their Porthmadog café back in May after an involuntary outburst caused her to swear.

The company have since said they are looking into renewing staff training.