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Coffee chain eyes up old music shop

1:00pm Wednesday 7th December 2011 in Wallingford By Andrew Ffrench

Ashey Kempson, who runs KP Stationers in the town, thinks the arrival of Costa may prompt other chains to bring businesses to Wallingford Ashey Kempson, who runs KP Stationers in the town, thinks the arrival of Costa may prompt other chains to bring businesses to Wallingford

COFFEE chain Costa is planning to take over a former music store in the centre of Wallingford.

If Costa Coffee gets the go-ahead to convert the old Astley’s music store in Market Place into a coffee shop, it will be the first national coffee chain to open a store in the town.

Many shoppers were disappointed when Gareth Astley decided to close the family business earlier this year due to falling sales, after more than 30 years of trading.

Now, Costa’s planning application to South Oxfordshire District Council is prompting a debate about chain stores versus independent traders in a town that prides itself on having a large number of independent shops.

The coffee chain is applying to SODC to change the use of the premises and set up outdoor seating. Ashley Kempson, who runs KP Stationers in Market Place, said: “A lot of people know about this and are talking about it.

“I think Costa is a very well-known chain and they do what they do exceptionally well. I have an independent Costa machine in my shop and people use it for takeaways.

“This is a major chain investing in a small market town and hopefully that could prompt other national chains to consider Wallingford.”

Costa Coffee has applied for listed building consent to make alterations inside the former music store on the ground floor and on the first floor so that it can fit in enough tables to make the business viable.

According to the application, the opening up of existing fireplaces will improve the character of the building and the use of the first floor by the public will also provide a greater heritage asset for the community.

Town councillor Lynda Atkins said: “I am against it.

“I think we have several very good local coffee shops like the Old Post Office and Bloc Brazilian.

“Costa also wants to put chairs and tables outside where the pavement is not very wide.

“I suppose it’s a compliment to Wallingford that Costa wants to come here but I would rather it didn’t.”

Elaine Hornsby, spokesman for traders’ group Wallingford in Business, said she did not know what the majority of traders thought about the planning application.

She added: “Personally I don’t think the town needs a Costa Coffee because there are so many independent coffee shops in the town already, and I think they will struggle to put chairs outside because there is so much going on in the market place.”

David Jones, the manager of Bloc Brazilian, was unavailable for comment.

Astley’s closed in February after 36 years saying it could not compete with online retailers and major chain stores.

Anyone who wants to comment on the Costa plan should contact SODC by December 21.

No one from Costa Coffee was available for comment.

Comments(9)

spriggs says...
10:50pm Wed 7 Dec 11

Lynda Atkins seems hell-bent on avoiding any improvement to Wallingford. Bring in the competition to improve the offering from the independents, and put the tables out in the open to make use of what is a very pleasant square.

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tatler29 says...
5:01pm Sat 10 Dec 11

No one can disagree with improving a market town and its high street in such tough times, but that is exactly what we find ourselves in, tough times. Independent businesses are struggling as it is. Limited cash flow and inventive ideas isn't enough. Independent businesses rely on local support & bringing in a national chain isn't the answer. The coffee shops in town offer a vast and diverse range and surely we should be supporting and applauding this rather than essentially putting small independent businesses under threat. Having looked at the planning application the outside space they request to use is actually the public footpath and not the square.

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tatler29 says...
5:01pm Sat 10 Dec 11

No one can disagree with improving a market town and its high street in such tough times, but that is exactly what we find ourselves in, tough times. Independent businesses are struggling as it is. Limited cash flow and inventive ideas isn't enough. Independent businesses rely on local support & bringing in a national chain isn't the answer. The coffee shops in town offer a vast and diverse range and surely we should be supporting and applauding this rather than essentially putting small independent businesses under threat. Having looked at the planning application the outside space they request to use is actually the public footpath and not the square.

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old lady says...
9:20am Mon 12 Dec 11

So the little shops start to pick up trade after Waitrose sucessfully closed down the independent Cafe, butcher etc. What happens next - Oh lets bring in a Coffee chain! Was it a rumour that Waitrose is looking at resurrecting their original plan of an in-store coffee shop as well ! Of course if you can afford to shop in Waitrose you won't need to take out a mortgage to buy a Costa coffee. Has anyone thought to ask the residents what we want, and why we go to shop in Didcot. Could it be that Didcot has affordable shops selling useful items? But according to our representatives on the SODC we ALL wanted houses built at Slade End, didn't we. What do we know?

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mamma_wood says...
9:57pm Mon 12 Dec 11

Having discussed the above article with hubby we both have certain points to make. His being that its a shame Lynda Atkins is negative about an investment from a major retailer in our small town, why should Wallingford retailers be immune from competition. Is it honestly better that Astleys old store remains empty in a prime location? Better surely to see full shops that give people a reason to come to our stay in the town.

Mine being rather more influenced by a recent trip to Lyme Regis where independent shops are the norm and large chains (I was told by one shop owner) are not allowed. I loved the town, and the atmosphere this gave. When I look at Wallingford tho I can't help but agree with my husband having experienced 'customer service and rude attitudes of staff in for example the Post Office where Christmas cheer it has to be said has not arrived along with several other outlets. Perhaps a 'chain' is just what we local residents who still value good manners and not feeling as tho we are inconveniencing sales staff by walking into their premises.

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tatler29 says...
9:01am Tue 13 Dec 11

I don't think the independent retailers are afraid of 'competition' as there already approximately 6 coffee shops in Wallingford. I do feel that the majority of people in Wallingford would hate to see empty shops as you are right it doesn't do the town any favours. However, the point is that all retail outlets should be treated as equal and given the same opportunity. Commercial businesses aren't allowed to use the market square for example, so why then should this be any different for Costa Coffee? Using 'bad manners' as a reason to bring in a national chain isn't a valid argument in my opinion. It will be staffed by people who are paid by the hour that do not have an invested interest as to whether their business is a success or not. Could I suggest that when you are next in one of the many truly independent coffee shops in Wallingford you ask what they think this move would do to their business? What we should all think about is that by letting one shop to a national chain of coffee shops could essentially put the other 4/5 truly independent one’s out of business and then you’re faced with more empty shops and less of a reason to visit Wallingford.

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mamma_wood says...
8:13pm Tue 20 Dec 11

I do like the independent coffee shops, and once I've squeezed thru the shop or dragged my buggy up steps there is nothing more relaxing than enjoying a good cup of coffee. I do feel the last thing our town needs is yet another coffee shop or outlet offering a vending machine! Why oh why is it so impossible to bring something new and different to our town to make people want to stay here instead of nipping off somewhere else. So please calm yourself I'm not a fan of Costa Coffee and doubt I will be going in there. With the greatest respect in the world some independent shops in the town are run by some exceedingly rude people. How can I be expected to part with hard earned money to people who cannot even be bothered to put down their newspaper while being asked if they have a particular item in stock, or to those who dont even acknowledge you are there or tell me that whilst the shop is open and I am welcome to browse I can't purchase anything because the till has been closed! So let the market decide - if Costa come, and offer what the customer wants, they will succeed. Or maybe the incumbent businesses will raise their game - and hopefully service standards - to keep customers.

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LW-wallingford says...
8:17am Thu 22 Dec 11

I wish I could afford a coffee in one of these independant coffee shops.

wallingford has too many of the same things... its a joke.

costa is just what the town needs. but being under 65 my views and oppinions on wallingfords town get ignored.

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EMBOX1 says...
9:36am Sun 25 Dec 11

Say no to the chains and their insipid milky brown liquid that they pass off as coffee.

The longer you can keep chain shops out the better. Otherwise Wallingford will be just another bland, homogenised town like pretty much every other. Didcot is awful, Abingdon likewise, and Oxford is so poor for shopping that most people go to Reading now, which is just another Mc High St but with more shops.

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