Row brewing over approval of Costa coffee shop in Cottingham
TRADERS have hit out at a council decision to back plans for a new Costa coffee shop in Cottingham.
The multi-national coffee house operator is set to move into a former frozen food store after East Riding councillors approved a change of use planning application.
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IRONIC THANKS: Kris Lake, owner of Kristoff's in Hallgate, and Suzanne Schellingerhout, of Manna Coffee in King Street are angry councillors' approval of plans for a Costa shop in the former Heron store. Pictures: Rob Stebbing
But the move has infuriated a number of independent traders in the village who claim some councillors went against their word by supporting the Costa scheme.
The change of use had also been recommended for refusal by Cottingham Parish Council.
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Parish councillors voted against the scheme earlier this year, citing concerns over traffic congestion and the lack of any fire escape at the rear of the building.
They also voiced concerns of the loss of a retail unit.
There are currently five coffee shops within a few hundred yards of the empty King Street unit destined to be converted into a franchise of the world's second-largest coffeehouse chain.
Four of them are independently run by local owners.
Kris Lake, who runs Kristoff's in nearby Hallgate, said: "It is disappointing when councillors say one thing and then do something completely different when it comes to the vote.
"I can accept Costa coming into Cottingham. It's going to be new competition and we have to adapt to that."
Mr Lake has even put a sign outside his café ironically thanking councillors for backing the Costa application.
Tom Boyle, of Blondes coffee shop in King Street, spoke against the Costa scheme at this week's committee meeting.
He said: "I wasn't just speaking on behalf of the traders. Plenty of people who live in the village are against the idea of a Costa opening in that location.
"There are serious potential traffic problems if delivery lorries decided to park on King Street instead of the proper loading bays in the Market Green.
"Like Kris, I am very disappointed in our local councillors."
Mike Harris, chairman of the Cottingham Traders' Association, said he was concerned about the increasing lack of variety for shoppers in the village.
He said: "There reaches a stage when you can only have so many coffee shops and so many hairdressers.
"My worry is that without a variety of shops, people will stop coming here.
"There is a tipping point with certain types of use and I think we are in danger of going over that point in the case of cafés."
Comments
by jackboo2011
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 9:33PM
“you are all missing the point this country is full of sheep , bah bah ooow a new doughnut shop selling overpriced **** doughnuts its got a trendy name crispie kreme or whatever and most important of all i seen a z list celebrity in the sun with a bag from there so i must go and copy them
for christ sake when will the you of today get over with the obsession of "brands" costa coffe is probably far inferior to the local shops but it comes in a trendy looking cup so they buy that one . They send a celeb these things for free so the mini me`s copy their celeb idols wake up use the local guy be a individual”
by Health Inc Chiropractic
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 5:30PM
“People will still go to kristoffs for food etc, the other coffee shops in cott are not very good, but the main problem with less people visiting as said above the ****** charity shops and the market apart from the breads, butter, eggs, fish section is just like an out door charity shop. Bring in more specialist stuff like the farmers markets etc.”
by Anna_Gram
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 10:19AM
“2biscuits
If you knew anything about coffee, you would know it is spelled 'espresso'.”
by harryoffdock2
Sunday, September 09 2012, 10:25PM
“Any bloke that spells Kris this way ( unless he is of Scandinavian extraction ), deserves all he gets.”
by johnniebj
Sunday, September 09 2012, 8:02PM
“As JayOnly says, if anyone doesn't want Costa in Cottingham, then don't go in. Simples. I wonder what the position will be in 12 months from now. Cosat will be doing fine.”
by 2biscuits
Sunday, September 09 2012, 4:56PM
“hullnorth
Costa expresso coffee is the best around in the UK but not when its served from the pods in some restaurants like the one adjoining Premier Inn at Hessle..I travel a lot in Europe so know what a good expresso is and Costas is up there with the best.
the problem with most people is they drink coffee in those big soup bowls full of milk,thats not coffee.
Guess you are one of those.”
by DwaynneCarr
Sunday, September 09 2012, 4:06PM
“so to create a level playing field ,, each and every town, village high street - should only have 2 (to create competition) pubs, coffe shops, charity shops , big namew supermarkets etc . it will never happen because if shop units are left empty, councils and estate agents will always let them to the highest bidder to ensure the money keeps rolling in . regardless of the long term damage done to a towns identity.”
by jimbo935
Sunday, September 09 2012, 3:42PM
“You're wrong about impacting on day to day sales.
Far too many are selling new goods in direct competition with local traders.
I would say that's not a level playing field, wouldn't you.”
by DwaynneCarr
Sunday, September 09 2012, 2:21PM
“i do a lot of travelling around the country, and one thing i have noted about every small village and high street is the plethora of charity shops. now if you want to talk about villages losing their identity - get rid of the charity shops.
Cottingham has 5 at last count and they only have two notable streets. yet no one objects about that , because they don't impact on the day to day retailer profits.”
by Mark_Hull_65
Sunday, September 09 2012, 12:33PM
“1) Open coffee shop
2) ?
3) Profit”