Congratulations to Carina Bloom on her appointment as the managing director of the Goodbean chain.

It is heartening to see a local company doing so well in the face of stiff competition from a great many national and international chains.

This is particularly the case because Goodbean has shown time and time again it is prepared to be a part of the local business community and support town centre projects such as Christmas lights and the Street Theatre Festival.

As the person that so often has to approach companies to get their involvement, I can state with confidence that Goodbean is simply streets ahead of its rivals in realising the value of community participation.

I wish the company every success with its expansion plans.

-Tony Mernagh, Brighton City Centre Business Forum