Residents of a Devon town, that prides itself on its unique character, have pledged to continue their fight against the opening of a branch of Costa Coffee despite failing in their bid to get the planning application rejected. Totnes is widely known for encouraging independent retailers and has so far succeeded in retraining a varied and vibrant town centre without the rows of empty commercial properties that blight so many others. Now residents and traders fear its distinctive appeal could be diluted by the arrival of Costa on Fore Street and open the floodgates to a host of other multinational chains.
Costa Coffee is a subsidiary of Whitbread’s and currently operates 1,400 outlets on high streets throughout the UK. The new Totnes branch is in line with previously announced plans to double the number of branches over the next five years. A company spokesperson has sought to reassure worried residents that they have nothing to fear. He said; “Totnes has a strong reputation for supporting independent retailers and we would like to reassure people that Costa aims to add new vibrancy by complementing the local offering.” Costa Coffee is also keen to stress that the outlet will create 12 new jobs for local people.
Despite these reassurances, opposition to the proposed outlet remains strong and campaigners easily gathered over 5,500 names on a petition calling for the application to be rejected. They have also won the support of Totnes MP Dr Sarah Wollaston. Last week 100 members of opposition group NotoCosta marched through the town to urge South Hams Council planners to reject the bid. This attempt failed, regardless of the fact that three independents were also willing to take on the commercial property lease.
The council’s decision prompted a strong response from protestors with Totnes Mayor Councillor Pruw Boswell saying she now fears for the town. She continued; “We are most emphatically not a clone town and this very individuality is one of the primary reasons why over 120,000 visitors come here each year and arguably the reason why the town is bucking the economic trend to remain a vibrant and successful town.”
Another protestor said the campaign had brought the community together and pledged to continue the resistance, adding; ”We now know what we are up against and we’ve got the passion and skills to take the action necessary to ensure our town remains thriving.” Suggestions as to what form the action will now take range from anti-Costa posters and banners to ordering tap water and drinking it slowly. Most call for a total boycott.
Do you live in Totnes? Do you agree that the town’s mix of independent retailers contributes to its unique character? Do you now fear becoming another ‘clone’ town? Share your thoughts with us below.
Previous Post
Parental Worries when Students Leave for University Life
