Tables at Starbucks must go (From The Argus)

Tables at Starbucks must go

11:50am Saturday 6th December 2008 in Search By Ruth Lumley

A controversial Starbucks has been ordered to stop selling drinks and food which can be consumed on the premises.

Coffee shop bosses have also been ordered to remove all tables and chairs and to restore the shop to its former use.

The Starbucks opened in the former Sussex Stationers bookshop in St James’s Street, Brighton, in May.

The order means customers will have to take away their food and drink.

The coffee shop opened despite being refused an application to change the shop’s use from retail to a coffee shop.

Councillors did not approve the application, claimed there were enough coffee shops in St James’s Street and that the cafe would have a detrimental impact on independent businesses.

Campaigner Jon Barrenechea, of New Steine, Brighton, started a Stop Starbucks campaign on Facebook, which has more than 1,800 members. There have also been protests outside the shop every Saturday.

The coffee shop appealed against the decision at the eleventh hour but, at a full council meeting on Thursday night, the chain was served an enforcement notice by the council ordering it to make the changes.

Councillor Lynda Hyde, who chairs the planning committee, said: “We are responding to local concerns and making it clear we will not tolerate planning regulations being flouted in this way. Our planning team has been monitoring the operation since and it is clear sales of food and drink for consumption on the premises form a considerable part of the business, in breach of planning consent.”

Mr Barrenechea said: “The game is up. They can exploit all the legal loopholes they want but this is getting petty.

“I am very proud of the council and I feel truly represented.

Now Starbucks has to listen to the people and the council.”

The enforcement notice takes affect on January 9 and Starbucks has until February 20 to comply, unless it appeals the decision.

Starbucks has already appealed against the planning refusal for retail and coffee shop use. The council has not been given a date by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate for this appeal.

A Starbucks spokeswoman said: “We are currently considering the options for our coffee house so we can continue to provide the Starbucks experience for our Brighton customers.

“We believe our coffee houses make positive contributions to their local areas and, in particular, Starbucks store in St James’s Street has helped its community by creating around 14 jobs and by providing a relaxing and safe environment for customers to enjoy great tasting coffee.”

ruth.lumley@theargus.co.uk