Is Costa on the way to Thatcham?

Traders have mixed reactions to Costa possibly moving into the town as signs are put up in an empty unit window

THATCHAM traders have given mixed reactions to the prospect of a Costa coffee shop opening in their midst.

Signs have gone up in one of the empty shop units in the Kingsland Centre saying that it would be opening soon, although no planning application for change of use has been submitted to West Berkshire Council.

The co-owner of Cook and Butcher in High Street, Christian Martin, said that it had been a topic of much conversation in his shop.

He said that opinion was divided about whether the chain store was wanted or not, with some customers saying that it would put Thatcham on the map, and others preferring independent shops. He said: “I am not sure whether it is a good or bad thing.

“It's good in theory and people tend to support brands, but it's a juxtaposition – some people see it as a seal of approval and others prefer the independents.”

Shop owner Bernard Mills, of Emotions, Kingsland Centre, said that he could see both sides.

He said that he thought it would attract people into the town but that there were already plenty of eateries in the town already.

He said: “In two years' time, Thatcham will be a town of convenience as they [the shops] will

all be takeaways and cafés.”

He said that he would like to see more independent shops and questioned if there was enough passing trade to sustain the store in the long term.

He said: “I cannot see them [the franchise owner] lasting in Thatcham because it is dead.”

Despite the signs, West Berkshire Council has not been informed of Costa's plans, and without its seal of approval, the café will not be able to open.

Planning officers have turned down applications for restaurants in the main shopping area in the past because they said there were too many non-retail units already.

West Berkshire Council spokesman Phil Spray said: “I can confirm that planning permission is necessary for the change of use to A3 (restaurants and cafés).

Planning enforcement officers have made contact with the agents and we are expecting a planning application to be submitted soon.”

Despite many attempts to contact Costa's press relations department regarding when an application was going to be submitted, no one was available for comment.