Traders lose fight to keep Costa Coffee out of Tewkesbury
INDEPENDENT traders have lost their fight to stop a Costa Coffee shop coming to Tewkesbury.
They launched a campaign to try to prevent the drinks giant from opening a store at the former Wine Rack site in High Street.
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Trouble brewing: Costa Coffee
A petition headed 'Keep Tewkesbury Local' had been circulated urging people to help the town retain its reputation for unique shops run by independent traders.
It said that if Costa Coffee was allowed to open, it would deeply affect other small cafes in the town.
But Tewkesbury Borough Council's planning committee approved the proposal.
Rachel Green, the manager at nearby Caffe Ricci, circulated the petition last month which garnered support from businesses. She said she was disappointed but said she did her best in the short time she had to get the campaign going.
"I managed to get 291 names on the petition in just two days. There were a lot of people who had it in their shops," she said.
"Costa doesn't need to come to Tewkesbury to survive. How is it going to help local businesses?
"The council needs to have a planning policy in order to be able to turn down applications like this from large companies. Otherwise, we're not going to be able to keep the charm of having local businesses.
"I'm not from Tewkesbury but I used to come here to visit because it's a lovely old world kind of town."
The new shop will be able to open from 7am to 7pm every day of the week and have an area of outdoor seating.
Members of the borough council's planning committee backed their officers' view that the proposal was acceptable after hearing that it would create between 15 and 17 jobs.
Melissa Mace, Costa Coffee's public relations manager, said: "We are hoping to open our doors at the end of August."
She added: "Other examples of us entering towns has revealed that it actually compliments independent retailers."
15 Comments
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by Toni, Cheltenham
Monday, August 02 2010, 2:08PM
“Isn't Caffe Ricci just a rip-off Costa anyway?!!”
by Phil, uk
Saturday, July 31 2010, 8:48PM
“cafe ricci was slammed by the echo not to long ago for not letting push chairs into their shop so perhaps costa coffee can cater to the push chair fraternity”
by Rob, Tewkesbury
Saturday, July 31 2010, 8:43AM
“Let's start a petition to rid our town of all national or multi-national firms then shall we? Goodbye to: Boots, Blockbuster, Halfords, Tesco, Morrisons, Lloyds TSB, Halifax, Costcutter, Hallmakr and Lloyds Pharmacy.
This is just the small minded and narrow vision attitude Tewkesbury does not need. Competition is a good thing and if the local business can't survive buy having a better service or product then they were not a very good business to start with.”
by Rob, Tewkesbury
Saturday, July 31 2010, 8:35AM
“Let's start a petition to rid our town of all national or multi-national firms then shall we? Goodbye to: Boots, Blockbuster, Halfords, Tesco, Morrisons, Lloyds TSB, Halifax, Costcutter, Hallmakr and Lloyds Pharmacy.
This is just the small minded and narrow vision attitude Tewkesbury does not need. Competition is a good thing and if the local business can't survive buy having a better service or product then they were not a very good business to start with.”
by Anon, Chelt
Friday, July 30 2010, 6:45PM
“In much the same vane, Wetherspoons moving in on Tewkesbury appears to have sounded the death on one or two great local pubs in the town, like the Berkeley Arms for example. That has been closed for ages, after having a succession on landlords within the last two years, who soon found it difficult to make a living with the Hop Pole opening. Could not compete with the cheaper goods and better selection offered across the road from them. Sadly, these days, when price is king, the local businesses seem to be the losers when the High Street giants move in.”
by Dont Ya KNow, Fod
Friday, July 30 2010, 5:41PM
“Phil, I assume you are being sarcastic about Costa and fair prices.
Tewkesbury seems pretty busy, so there may be enough trade to go round, but I would hate to see it become over run with coffee shops (i believe the old bishops walk toilets are to become a costa) as it is one of the better shopping destations in Gloucestershire and gets more of our money than Gloucester despite being further away.
As for a petition against a business moving into the area, then Competition is always going to happen and businesses will simply need to make their offering more attractive.
And it is very ripe coming from Caffe Ricci when they are a fairly recent business themselves and thus 'new competition'.”
by Phil, uk
Friday, July 30 2010, 4:27PM
“good to see freedom of trade in tewkesbury its time we stopped getting ripped off by these 'scenic' shops and had some fair prices and 25th century shopping ... mmm what next maybe currys or woolworths or hedgehog records back like the good old days when this town had more than mini supermarkets and shoe shops”
by captain catt, seamen's mission
Friday, July 30 2010, 2:39PM
“They sell decent enough Welsh Cakes in Costcutters Newent, but businesses in England certainly seem to be missing a trick when it comes to bara brith! One problem, or so I'm told, is that yeast-made bara brith has a very short shelf-life while those made with self-raising flour do not taste the same. Shrewsbury Cakes are well worth seeking out too! Are any of you independent café owners listening?”
by Paul, Cheltenham
Friday, July 30 2010, 2:25PM
“Quedgeley Guy, Quedgeley
Welsh cakes, now you're talking!
Yum!”
by Quedgeley Guy, Quedgeley
Friday, July 30 2010, 2:13PM
“Geraint,
They seemed to be able to rustle up anything you asked for. A good attitude to take when you're in the refreshment game.
I have inherited my Nain's bakestone and my missus now makes welshcakes that would knock you bandy.
I've just emailed the Blaenafon Cheese people to find out if their Whiskey and Ginger Cheddar is available near to Gloucester.
I'll let you know when they reply. :)”