Rise of Costa coffee causing quite a stir in Shropshire

Like Tesco before it, Costa is standing accused of muscling its way on to High Streets, taking trade away from independent businesses.

Now Costa has set its sights on Market Drayton, possibly bringing its cappuccinos, Americanos and flat whites to premises in Cheshire Street that are about to be vacated by a shoe shop.

Today existing coffee shop bosses in the town spoke of their hopes and fears ahead of the rumoured move in by Costa.

And while some think it will be good for the economy, others believe it will steamroller businesses without the financial clout brought by a national chain.

It is an argument that has been well rehearsed in other market towns.

People in Newport are still divided on whether its Costa Coffee has been good for the town, with rival cafes admitting they had seen a dip in trade since it opened up in May 2012. The chain is also present in Telford, Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Ludlow and Oswestry.

Market Drayton Chamber of Trade and Commerce says it is set against the arrival of Costa.

It hopes to follow the success of the Devon town of Totnes, where a campaign against Costa eventually persuaded it not to open up.

British-owned Costa is now the UK's biggest coffee shop chain ahead of US-based Starbucks. It has said it is currently "evaluating opportunities" in Market Drayton but that no firm plans were in place.

Ben Wylie, who owns the Per-Cup Coffee House in Cheshire Street, said he is ready to take on the competition – and isn't necessarily against its arrival.

The 30-year-old said: "Competition isn't really a bad thing. To start with some of the people who come here would go to a Costa, but it would level out eventually.

"What it could do is develop a coffee culture in the town and that would only be a good thing for us. It would promote an image of people walking around the town with a takeaway coffee cup, which is also something we do and that image could benefit our business. I don't think a Costa will be bad for us. In fact, I would relish the challenge."

Costa is believed to be interested in the unit at Stead & Simpson in Cheshire Street, which is to close on Friday.

Like Mr Wylie, Sean Turner, 26, manager of the No21 cafe on High Street, is bullish about the arrival of Costa.

He said: " I really don't think they will have a great impact on our business.

"We have changed what we have been doing to help tackle any national chain that comes and we now serve food, like burgers and chips as well as ice cream sundaes in the summer – these are things Costa cannot offer."

Mark Whittle, chairman of the chamber of trade, is less optimistic.

He thinks it will hit several businesses hard, describing it as "really bad news".

And Carol Jones, who owns the Jones's Coffee House, which has branches in Market Drayton and Whitchurch, said any move to Market Drayton by Costa would hit her business.

She said: "I will have an effect – but i would like to think we have enough loyal customers here who would stay with us should a Costa arrive."