Today's most viewed
| DALES FOLK |  | | | PICK OF THE PAST | | | READERS' LETTERS | | | COUNTRYFILE | | | | CARTOONS | | |
|
|
|
Costa Coffee loses appeal
A Costa Coffee shop in Skipton's core retail area would undermine the vitality of the town centre, an inspector said.
Rejecting the chain's appeal against Craven District Council's refusal of planning permission for the change of use of 14 to 16 High Street, the inspector said it was important to maintain a "high proportion" of retail shops in the centre.
Inspector Dannie Onn said change of use of the former mobile phone shop would be against the council's policy to maintain a mix of retail and non-retail in the High Street area.
He said Costa Coffee would not provide anything not already on offer and the proposed retail element would be ancillary to the shop's main use.
In his report, after a public inquiry last month, Mr Onn said the prime objective of the council's planning policy was to promote the vitality and viability of the town centre.
"The development would not widen significantly the offer of the town centre. Nor would there be a qualitative improvement because existing outlets can provide what would be available at the appeal site," he said.
At the public inquiry, Costa Coffee argued that a branch in Skipton would help towards the town's vitality.
Mr Onn said although that would happen, there were other shops able to offer the same service: "It is important to maintain a high proportion of retail so that there is greater incentive to make shopping trips to the town."
Coun Philip Barrett, chairman of Craven's planning committee, said the council was pleased its decision had been upheld.
"Our planning policies are put in place to protect the vitality of Skipton town centre," he said.
"As the inspector states, it is important to maintain a high proportion of retail so there is a greater incentive to make shopping trips to the town and avoid leakage to other centres.
"The proposed loss of a retail unit would undermine the primary retail function of the town centre. I consider that the viability of the town centre would thus be threatened."
The decision was welcomed by the town's Chamber of Trade. But president Joan Evans stressed the Chamber was not against Costa Coffee opening at another site in the town.
"We have no issues with Costa Coffee and would welcome it into the town," she said.
Costa Coffee did not wish to comment.
8:48am Friday 9th May 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Dawson, Skipton on 11:38am Fri 9 May 08
Let me guess - another charity shop on the way. Fantastic!!!
Let me guess - another charity shop on the way. Fantastic!!!
Posted by: Sarah, Skipton on 12:04pm Fri 9 May 08
What an absolute joke!!
Is it all about the old people and tourists of skipton what about the locals!!! The younger people who are sick and tired of battling into crappy little cafes just to get a drink at lunch. Jees and dont get me started on charity shops.."Skipton charity shop capital of the UK"!!!
What an absolute joke!!
Is it all about the old people and tourists of skipton what about the locals!!! The younger people who are sick and tired of battling into crappy little cafes just to get a drink at lunch. Jees and dont get me started on charity shops.."Skipton charity shop capital of the UK"!!!
Posted by: AJR, Germany on 12:49pm Fri 9 May 08
You have hit the nail on the head.
"He said Costa Coffee would not provide anything not already on offer" - so why are there at least 5 charity shops? This argument simply does not stand and is double standards. "We can always use another charity shop" - it brings the coach loads of "chronologically challenged" people into the town (what about the carbon footprint? That is a disgrace!) Let the people have their coffee, or is caffeine also about to be banned from the town centre?
"We have no issues with Costa Coffee and would welcome it into the town," - so what's the problem?
"The development would not widen significantly the offer of the town centre. Nor would there be a qualitative improvement because existing outlets can provide what would be available at the appeal site,"
Yes it would. See above point about charity shops.
I hear Skipton is planning on celebrating the millennium in a few years time? Wonder if fireworks will be allowed......
Save yourself Skiptonians!
You have hit the nail on the head.
"He said Costa Coffee would not provide anything not already on offer" - so why are there at least 5 charity shops? This argument simply does not stand and is double standards. "We can always use another charity shop" - it brings the coach loads of "chronologically challenged" people into the town (what about the carbon footprint? That is a disgrace!) Let the people have their coffee, or is caffeine also about to be banned from the town centre?
"We have no issues with Costa Coffee and would welcome it into the town," - so what's the problem?
"The development would not widen significantly the offer of the town centre. Nor would there be a qualitative improvement because existing outlets can provide what would be available at the appeal site,"
Yes it would. See above point about charity shops.
I hear Skipton is planning on celebrating the millennium in a few years time? Wonder if fireworks will be allowed......
Save yourself Skiptonians!
Posted by: Shadow, In the fields on 3:10pm Fri 9 May 08
So leaving the premises empty 'promotes the vitality and viability of the town'? Sounds like a great incentive to visit.
So leaving the premises empty 'promotes the vitality and viability of the town'? Sounds like a great incentive to visit.
Posted by: James, Skipton on 4:22pm Fri 9 May 08
The town centre is full of empty shops. I counted about 3 just on Sheep street including the disputed Costa coffee one. There are about a dozen charity shops in Skipton. There is one coffee retailer who really does not like competition and obviously has a bit of influence with the council!
The town centre is full of empty shops. I counted about 3 just on Sheep street including the disputed Costa coffee one. There are about a dozen charity shops in Skipton. There is one coffee retailer who really does not like competition and obviously has a bit of influence with the council!
Posted by: Shadow, In the fields on 9:52pm Fri 9 May 08
On the basis that shops shouldn't offer something which is already 'provided for', how come we have several jewellers, mobile phone outlets, health food shops etc? How come they were approved? (or maybe they were approved in more enlightened times...).
Mind you, you have to admire Mr Onn and Coun Barrett for their imaginative and creative use of the English language. They could almost be the same person. Maybe they are.
On the basis that shops shouldn't offer something which is already 'provided for', how come we have several jewellers, mobile phone outlets, health food shops etc? How come they were approved? (or maybe they were approved in more enlightened times...).
Mind you, you have to admire Mr Onn and Coun Barrett for their imaginative and creative use of the English language. They could almost be the same person. Maybe they are.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
