A CAMPAIGN to keep Costa coffee out of Dartmouth has gained support within hours of being set up.

More than 100 people have signed an online petition against plans by the coffee giant to open in Victoria Road.

Meanwhile, two signs – featuring mock Costa art work – have appeared in the door way to the proposed empty shop opposing the move.

But Costa says one of its coffee shops would be good for Dartmouth and would boost footfall and improve the vitality and viability of the town centre.

Petition organiser Fran Newman said: ‘We oppose the plan because we already have great independent coffee shops and don’t welcome the damage a large coffee shop chain company could do. 

‘The large chain wouldn’t be in keeping with the town. The historical Butterwalk is 50 meters from the site.

‘The town contains many medieval and Elizabethan streetscapes and is a patchwork of narrow lanes and stone stairways. A significant number of the historic buildings are listed. One of the most obvious is the Butterwalk, built 1635 to 1640, with now a proposed Costa sign trampling on our towns heritage. 

‘Dartmouth would be in danger of becoming a clone town where you could be in any part of the UK, due to same shops on the high street. Value the diversity, and don’t unbalance the fragile economy.’

She said she believed Costa would not become involved in the community life of the town like other businesses who gave raffle prizes, time and money to local causes.

She said there were already two mini Costa outlets in the Spar shop, a few doors down from the proposed site, and at Townstal garage.

‘We don’t need any more,’ she said.

And she cited figures given by Transition Town Totnes that 80p of every £1 spent in independent shops stays and recycles in the local community, whereas, shopping in a chain 80 per cent of it leaves at the end of the day.

Costa withdrew plans to open in Totnes in 2012 after a petition opposing the move attracted more than 5,000 signatures.

Antonia Suner, of Dartmouth, added her comments on the petition page saying: ‘Dartmouth is a special, unique and beautiful place, steeped in history and that’s why people come here. You can get a Costa coffee anywhere so why does Dartmouth need to do the same? Why can’t locals and tourists keep enjoying the unique coffee houses and shops. Dartmouth is not a chain town, its very essence will be diluted because of it. The fact there is a Costa machine in the Spar and garage at the top was enough for me.

’It will be a dark day for Dartmouth if Costa bulldoze their way into our jewel of a town...what next? McDonalds?! No!’

Costa has submitted plans to South Hams Council for change of use from retail to a coffee shop at the former card and chocolate shop at 5–9 Victoria Road. It is also seeking permission for one fascia sign and one projecting sign and wants to make modifications to the shop front and instal three new air condition units.

People have until November 18 to make comments on the proposals.

A planning statement, submitted with the applications, says figures show that Costa coffee in a number of different town centres generates significant levels of customers comparable with, and in excess of other retailers.

Furthermore, the nature of the proposed use is likely to encourage combined trips to surrounding retail outlets, it says.

‘In combination with the generation of visitors, the coffee shop use will most likely increase pedestrian flows around the application site, compared with the previous occupier, and will contribute to improving the vitality and viability of the town centre.’

Costa is proposing to open between 6.30am to 8pm, Mondays to Saturdays, and from 8.30am to 6.30pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

Responses on Facebook to the Costa plan include: ‘Brilliant! We have one up here, expensive but brilliant coffee!: That’ll wake the town up!!! ?’; ‘Good to bring more foot traffic towards the Old Market etc?’; and ‘Who ever made the sign, drinks a lot of Costa, lol’.