A Facebook group is asking people to "wake up and smell the coffee" in a campaign against an international café chain.

Brighton and Hove City Council has received a planning application from Starbucks to convert the old Sussex Stationers bookshop in St James's Street, Brighton, into a coffee house.

But with 12 coffee outlets already in the vibrant Kemp Town street, campaigners believe the arrival of the chain will have a detrimental effect.

One man was so incensed at the planning application he has started a Facebook group in protest.

Jon Barrenechea, 31, of New Steine, Brighton, created the Stop Starbucks From Opening On St James's Street group about two weeks ago and it now has more than 200 members.

He said: "I saw a planning notice outside the shop which said Starbucks had applied for a change of use and I thought I really needed to do something about it.

"I started this Facebook group and a lot of people started joining and I noticed there was a lot of discontent in the neighbourhood."

People have until May 14 to register their objections with the council.

In his blurb, Mr Barrenechea says St James's Street has a unique character which is achieved, in part, thanks to its independent retailers and cafés which helps to create a vibrant economy.

He said: "A corporation such as Starbucks is likely to increase rentals which would put further pressure on local businesses.

"There are already 12 coffee outlets in St James's Street so to have yet another, particularly of this size, is unsuitable and could cause some to go out of business."

Mr Barrenechea, manager of the Duke of York's cinema in Preston Circus, said he also believes the application goes against the local plan.

He is being backed by Green councillors Ben Duncan and Rachel Fryer and Simon Burgess, the Labour Parliamentary candidate for Kemptown.

Mr Barrenechea said: "Our argument is not against Starbucks as a company. Our problem is with them opening in St James's Street.

"There are already five Starbucks in the city. The closest ones are opposite the Jubilee Library and in The Lanes. It is like an invasion.

"When a chain like Starbucks moves in on neighbourhoods people have a strong affection for, they will say they have had enough."

A Starbucks spokesman said: "We open stores where customer demand exists. We would not be opening another branch unless there was demand for the store to open.

"We are happy to be opening a store in such a vibrant area of the town and we are committed to providing the Starbucks experience to people in Brighton."

Do you think Starbucks should be allowed to open another store in the city? Call The Argus on 01273 544525 or comment below.