Costa is hit by the great coffee shop rebellion
WITH thousands of outlets across the country, it is the coffee chain to which many shoppers happily turn to for a cappuccino or shot of espresso.
But Costa is leaving a bitter taste for a growing army of campaigners who are determined to stop it expanding into their scenic towns.
They fear the chain will take business away from independent cafes and threaten the history and traditions of their ancient high streets.
Protests have been launched against proposed outlets in the towns of Dartmouth and Crediton in Devon, and at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire.
And a plan to open a Costa branch in Ilfracombe, North Devon, is awaiting a final decision amid claims that there are already plenty of cafes nearby.
In the historic port of Dartmouth, more than 1,000 protesters have signed a petition opposing a planning application. Organiser Fran Newman accused the company of ‘trampling on our town’s heritage’. She said: ‘We already have great independent coffee shops. Dartmouth would be in danger of becoming a clone town where you could be in any part of the UK.’
Guylaine Picanil, whose Saveurs Cafe is next to the proposed Costa, said: ‘Dartmouth is a special place – it is the English St Tropez. Why allow something that is not special?’
Tony Fyson, of the Dartmouth and Kingswear Society, claimed Costa’s presence would push up nearby shop rental costs, leading to ‘more vacant premises’. ‘Such a clunking national intrusion would also introduce a whole new level of standardisation and predictability into the town’s varied and quirky centre,’ he added.
In Crediton, town councillor and cafe manager Daniel Webb said every independent shop on the high street had backed a 1,700-signature petition opposing Costa’s plans. ‘My fear is Costa can afford to run at a loss and undermine independent cafes,’ he added. Campaigners are buoyed by an earlier success in Totnes, Devon, in seeing off a Costa outlet. However, not every protest is succeeding. Earlier this year, residents opposed to a drive-through Costa outlet in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands failed to prevent it being approved. Some residents have backed pro-Costa petitions. Carolyn Cocks wrote on ‘Say Yes To Costa Coffee In Crediton’: ‘We don’t need another charity shop... it will bring employment to Crediton and bring us up to date.’ Costa is by far the biggest UK coffee chain with more than 2,000 outlets. Last night the firm said it wanted to ‘breathe new life’ into a former card shop in Dartmouth and would create ten jobs. ‘We would like to build a future in the town and make a positive contribution,’ a spokesman said.