Coffee war boils over in Bishop's Cleeve
A coffee war is brewing in the centre of Bishop's Cleeve, near Cheltenham.
The owners of independent cafe No 9 have hit out at international coffee giants Costa for what they claim were bullying tactics to steal their customers.
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HITTING OUT: Anna Field and Gavin Catlow-Hawkins say they have been made more determined to succeed by Costa's 'tactics'
The shop, in Church Road, opened its doors only to find staff from the nearby chain standing outside, holding a stack of cups and offering free coffee.
Customers felt the stunt was aimed at tempting coffee lovers over to the Costa outlet in Tesco.
Jane Weaver, a No 9 customer, was incensed when she had to battle her way into the cafe.
"How can a huge company like Costa stand outside a small, community coffee place and try to take away their business?" she said.
"Costa is clearly bothered about the new cafe and would clearly like to close it down."
No 9 was opened by Anna Field and business partner Gavin Catlow-Hawkins in August last year and it has proved a hit.
Jane said: "It is a local business which we are all trying to support. They have done incredibly well and everybody loves it. Those two work their socks off to keep it going."
The row began when, only for the second time, No9 opened its doors on a Sunday. Joint owner Gavin said the new opening hours were in response to requests from customers in the run up to Christmas.
"I could understand if they were walking up and down the road but to do this right outside our door where people had to negotiate their way through two girls was interesting," he said.
"Anna and I are ex-estate agents and are used to doing things to get one over on the competition, but this is a new one for us.
"If nothing else, it has made us more determined and there is obviously a market worth fighting for on a Sunday."
A Costa Coffee spokesman said the store manager had asked its team to offer samples to people.
She said: "It is our understanding that a couple of team members choose to sample outside No 9.
"Although we actively encourage our Baristas to offer samples of our coffee, we never have, and never will, ask our teams to actively go out and give free drinks away to attract business from other cafes.
"As soon as Costa learned of the distress this had caused, the store manager apologised to No 9. This is the first and last time that this will happen."
49 Comments
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by kat, shrewsbury
Friday, January 29 2010, 2:53PM
“Why are so many people from BC semi literate?”
by Mark Shaw, Cheltenham
Wednesday, December 16 2009, 6:02PM
“I am astounded by some of the rubbish I have heard with regards to the Costa in Cleeve. All of the staff who work there run the friendliest Costa I know. They might have been seen as being stupid but were they if I am not mistaken is there not more than one coffee shop in Church road and don't the pubs there also serve coffee. So at what point are the boundaries crossed and if it wasn't for friendly competitiveness would we not as the consumer start to loss out . I think as usual we are looking for people to blame for what we ask for! I hope some of you that knock Cleeve Costa just drop in to see what friendly staff they are and how hard they all run around to insure the atmosphere is perfect on every visit! I use to use the town Costa's but I have never returned after my weekend visit whilst shopping in Cleeve last Christmas as I love my Coffee which they all take so much pride in making and always have a nice thing to say..:)”
by should know better, cheltenham
Friday, December 11 2009, 9:30AM
“It sounds to me like these so called "tactics" are nothing more than a couple of lazy/mischievous/unimaginative (delete as appropriate) Costa employees being silly. I see no reason to doubt the Costa spokesman's comments and, knowing the company, feel certain that Costa would not approve of such behaviour.”
by Dorothy, Somewhere over the Rainbow
Thursday, December 10 2009, 7:47PM
“I dont know much but, it is clear to me from the article and this thread that the cafe has a loyal client base, so they must be getting it right.
I would also like to say that the comments of Andrew, Hammersley and Paul the Wine Guy, are perceptive and erudite. These are clearly men of intellect and substance.”
by Paul The Wine Guy, Cheltenham
Thursday, December 10 2009, 7:29PM
“Have I missed a page?
Where does this article mention anyone complaining about competition?
Don't allow the facts to colour your opinion or get in the way of a good rant.
For the record, this business was already a cafe, called 'Jays' before it became No.9.
Finally, why can I never get a table in No.9? Because it is always full when I go in.”
by Phil, Gotherington
Thursday, December 10 2009, 7:14PM
“No 9 is excellent. If Costa can ever recreate the same warm friendly atmosphere I might consider going there but they won't. By the way number 9 was packed out today.”
by Mark Barber, Prince of Wales Pub writing this on my Blackberry
Thursday, December 10 2009, 7:00PM
“I went into 9 n it were rubbish. NO Frostys, NO Scrumpy, NO Special Brew, NUFIN! It were C.R.A.P!”
by Peter, Gloucester
Thursday, December 10 2009, 6:49PM
“Could someone give us a price comparison between the two shops?”
by Mark, Works in Cleeve
Thursday, December 10 2009, 6:16PM
“I went into this particular independant coffee shop and found the prices through the roof. Also I think Costa coffee is a franchise operation, therefore they have to generate as mush trade as possible to cover there franchise fees. Good luck Costa, maybe the independant can afford to cut prices and start a marketing campain.”
by Gavin, the KIngsway squatter, Kingsway
Thursday, December 10 2009, 6:15PM
“At Costa it costs an average of 4p a cup to make...so think on when you are paying £2 for it. Luverly profits or what!”