Starbucks coffee shop in Kemp Town has donated £3,000 towards Christmas lights for St James’s Street.

Now, this year, American Express are doing likewise and have donated £8,000 (The Argus November, 2010 ).

That these two multi-national corporations have contributed £11,000 to help with Christmas lights in Kemp Town deserves a good deal of praise.

I well remember Councillors Rachel Fryer and Green Party Councillor Ben Duncan having their photos taken outside Starbucks for The Argus in May 2008, both opposing the opening of Starbucks.

Well, here we are two-and-a-half years down the line and both Starbucks and American Express actively contribute to our city in many ways including employment, business rates and council tax.

Let’s hope these Councillors now take a different view when they walk up St James’s Street and see just what these American multinationals are contributing for the City and especially Kemp Town residents.

Charles Holcombe,
Roedean Crescent, Brighton