Exclusive by Alan Quick
The planning application (16/01594/FULL), was submitted to Mid Devon District Council by Walsingham Planning of Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, on behalf of the client and it includes associated internal and external alterations to the former High Street Saver shop and toilets on the first floor of three-storey building. Two air conditioning units will also be installed.
In addition, a further application has been submitted for advertisement consent to display one externally illuminated fascia sign and one externally illuminated hanging sign (16/01595/ADVERT).
Many shops and businesses in Crediton have petitions against the proposal and three petitions, two against and one for, already exist on www.change.org .
SAY NO
“Prevent Costa Coffee moving to Crediton” was started by Rachel Pill and has had 136 signatures submitted online.
It reads: “Crediton is a beautiful mid Devon town that’s proud of its local independent shops and cafes.
“We have many locally owned cafes selling local produce. We do not need a chain like Costa to impact on local businesses.”
It says the petition will be submitted to Frank Letch, the Mayor of Crediton.
“Say NO to Costa in Crediton” was started by Daniel Webb and will be submitted to Mid Devon District Council, Crediton Town Council and Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon.
It has 319 signatures online to-date.
It reads: “Crediton has a predominantly Independent High Street and we would like to keep it that way. The opening of this national chain would destroy the current businesses located in the town.
“Sign this petition to stop this planning application and save our high street.”
SAY YES
“Say YES to Costa Coffee moving to Crediton” says it was started by the people of Crediton and has received 84 signatures, to-date, online.
The petition reads: “Crediton needs brands like Costa Coffee in the high street in order to bring our high street back to life.
“For far too long Crediton’s high street has had lots of empty shops or had businesses start-up only to close a few months later due to low foot-fall in the high street.
“A brand name like to Costa Coffee would add to brands already here like Boots and Home Hardware (Adams) and pull in business for not only Costa Coffee but for all the shops and businesses in the high street. Crediton’s high street would be a better place with Costa Coffee and their investment in the high street.”
It says the petition will be delivered to Mid Devon District Council.
NEW JOBS
Five new full-time jobs, including barista and managerial positions, are to be created, along with five part-time jobs and the Crediton Costa Coffee will open from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 9am to 5pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
There would be no cooking facilities at the coffee shop, though the agents say some sandwiches will be toasted on request.
It adds that all sandwiches and cakes are prepared and packaged off-site and would be delivered to the unit each morning.
Walsingham Planning say that the new coffee shop “would support the function of Crediton Town Centre by sustaining and enhancing its vitality and viability, which is the objective of local and national policies, and would be suitable in all other respects.”
The High Street Saver shop closed more than a month ago and has been vacant since that time.
CONSULTATION
Mid Devon District Council is currently consulting the public and other consultees about the plan and details are available for inspection at MDDC offices at Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton.
the application (16/01594/FULL) can be accessed online via the council’s view and track planning application service, which is located on the website: www.middevon.gov.uk , under planning.
The Tiverton office is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm on Friday.
COMMENTS
The public is invited to make comments regarding the application and these must be made in writing to the Head of Planning and Regeneration at the above address, or by email to: [email protected] or online via Public Access on the council website using “Make a Comment”.
Comments should reach the Head of Planning no later than Friday, November 4.
More than 40 people have so far submitted their views to the council online or by letter.
Barbara Snell said: “We have enough coffee shops and tea rooms in town all of which are independent, we do not need any more especially a big multi national like Costa. Very bad news for our town,” and Daniel Webb said: “I object to this application.
“Crediton is a vibrant independent town and already has a wide selection of cafes. The opening of Costa will have a detrimental effect on existing businesses.
“I fail to see what a Costa could add to the town. Current coffee shops offer coffee, cake and toasted sandwiches; some have much more extensive menus using locally sourced, seasonal and sustainable ingredients.
“As we already have a plethora of cafes, Crediton has no need of a Costa.
“We need to attract businesses that will add to the community, not take from what is already here.
Ian Jones said: “I think this is a fantastic opportunity to bring Crediton right up-to-date and will without a doubt bring people into the town. I feel that should this application fail then we will gain yet another charity shop. It will also create several job opportunities. I definitely support this application.”
Katie Edwards is also a supporter and said: “Definitely support Costa coming to Crediton. It may bring more high street brands to the town, and I’m sure it will draw the attention of people driving through the town. Costa will be beneficial!”
Danni Alcock said: “Costa is what Crediton needs to bring the high street up-to-date and John Rothwell said: “This would only bring more trade into a stalling small town economy.”
Amanda Rothwell said: “A new investor in Crediton is what the dying town desperately needs, Costa will not go out of business six months after opening, which is what tends to happen in Crediton and will also provide jobs to local people and encourage people passing through to stop, therefore increasing trade to other local businesses.”
Jurassic Coast Coffee Ltd, run by managing director James Witty, already operates Costa Coffee franchises in locations across Devon and Dorset, including Sidmouth, Lyme Regis, Honiton, Torquay, Tiverton and Teignmouth.
The head office for Jurassic Coast Coffee Ltd is in Sidmouth.
• What do you think of plans for a Costa Coffee in Crediton?
Share your views with fellow “Courier” readers. Write a letter, suitable for publication, to: The Editorial Manager, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF.
Alternatively, send an email, with your contact details, to: [email protected] .
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