Mixed reactions to proposal for Thatcham Costa extension

The franchise has submitted an application to West Berkshire Council to extend its shop in the Kingsland Centre to the neighbouring unit, which is currently empty.
The plan, submitted by Walsingham Planning, also includes having a small number of tables outside.
The unit in question has been vacant since the summer, when Emotions card shop closed.
At a meeting of its planning committee in January, Thatcham Town Council raised no objections to the plans.
However, one resident who asked not to be named, warned that if the plans were approved, Thatcham could lose its village past.
He said that there were already two Costa's in Newbury and one in Thatcham and added: "Should Costa Coffee be granted planning permission to extend into another retail outlet in the Kingsland Centre, we will lose yet another viably potential unit in the heart of the town.
He added that the current Costa Coffee shop was made up of three former units and said that that “should surely be enough?”
"Or do they want to wipe out all competition from the other two coffee bars in the Kingsland Centre too?
"Does Thatcham need a bigger Costa Coffee?"
A final decision is expected by West Berkshire Council by February 12.