FIRST COSTA, NOW STARBUCKS - IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR SMALL ISLAND BUSINESSES?

Starbucks is due to launch its first Island store in the next few weeks, but is this the last straw for the smaller, locally run cafe's?

Costa Newport, Isle of Wight

Newport is a stronghold for independant, Island owned coffee houses and cafe's, from Love Coffee, located 115 Pyle Street, Newport, to the Blue Door Cafe, situated on 18 St James Street. These businesses as well as others are not only locally run, but provide friendly, welcoming and traditional service. However, Costa, the Uk's fastest growing coffee chain, released a new store in place of what was Millets, literally round the corner from these independent firms. 

Costa have also progressed to open a store in Ryde, located 23-24 High street, in placement of a Thorntons store that faced closure. 

With Starbucks soon to open in place of Jessops, 96 St James Street, it's inevitable that the local coffee shops are going to lose business to these corporate giants. 

It's unbelievable how the Isle of Wight Council have approved of these large, powerhouse businesses to be placed in such a position that will certainly take trade from the independent firms, potential for closure and unemployment is a possibility in the near future. Not only this, but competitive pricing and deals that Starbucks and Costa provide are a no match for Love Coffee and the Blue Door as well as others, potentially losing a large number of customers. 

A small consolation is that Starbucks will be providing 15 new jobs with the opening of this store.

Newports charm currently is a lost cause, with all these high street favourites taking place of these Island stores, tourists as well as locals will be more likely but to go for a common, mediocre store in replacement of experiencing what the Island and it's resident's really have to offer. 

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