Movehut recently reported that residents and independent retailers in Totnes had united in an attempt to block the opening of a branch of Costa Coffee in the town. The opposition to the proposal was driven by a belief that Totnes has a unique character and that this individuality was threatened by the arrival of the chain. However, Totnes is not unique in its resistance to Costa and now TV personality Michael Palin has joined the chorus of disapproval surrounding the opening of another branch in the Suffolk town of Southwold.
Like Totnes, Southwold has managed to retain an unusually high number of independent retailers. These have helped the town buck the national trend that has seen high streets spiralling into what, some fear, may be permanent decline. In fact 84 per cent of Southwold’s retailers are independently owned, including around 20 town centre coffee shops.
Recently council planners gave the national chain the green light to open a Costa outlet in an empty commercial property on High Street following an earlier refusal. The decision led to disorder in the packed council chamber where more than 100 protestors angrily voiced their disapproval. After reducing one councillor to tears, they were forced to leave but they vowed to continue their campaign.
Echoing the Totnes protestors, they spoke of the ‘unique character, of the town and how the predominance of independent retailers contributed to its ‘vitality and viability.’
Speaking after the council meeting, Southwold’s mayor Michael Ladd said; “We are all very disappointed that this has been approved-especially after the initial recommendation two months ago was refused. But Southwold will survive.”
Now TV travel presenter Michael Palin has spoken out against the decision claiming that the town has a ‘wonderful feeling’ that should be retained.
The former Monty Python star said; “I don’t think anywhere can totally resist change, but Southwold is a very special place. It’s a town full of harmony and architectural features that go together beautifully and the fact that it is still here is wonderful. I wouldn’t be happy if they started knocking through walls and putting in big supermarkets.”
Palin met his wife in the seaside town which lists Dame Judi Dench, Chis Evans and Twiggy among other frequent visitors. However others have branded the protestors elitist, claiming their opposition to Costa is based on nothing more than snobbery.
One said; “How awful for the luvvies in Southwold that when they visit their second homes once a year they might see people drinking coffee.”
In the context of the ongoing debate about the future of the high street these campaigns against Costa appear to illustrate the fact that, in towns where they continue to prosper, residents are fiercely loyal to independent retailers. They speak proudly of the individuality of their town centres and fear becoming ‘clone towns.’ But as Michael Palin concedes, nowhere can totally resist change, and how towns like Totnes and Southwold adapt to the arrival of Costa on their high streets will be a measure of their vitality and viability.
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