A CAMPIAGN to promote independent coffee shops in Gloucester has been backed by other traders and gone national.
Ian Spencer was feature in The Citizen last week with his Glosta Coffee logo.
It pokes fun at his rivals and urges people to buy their hot drinks at his Oasis Cafe instead of big chains.
Ian said people have been going into the Southgate Street venue to congratulate him on the idea.
"We have had a fantastic reaction from people and it's been really encouraging."
Owner of Peppers off Westgate Street Ann Woolbridge said: "I'm definitely backing the campaign.
"We get our fairtrade, organic coffee from Wales.
"We are being swamped by big brands in Gloucester and we should fight back."
Ian was shocked when his story spread to The Telegraph, Heart FM and other national media.
The story has also been shared on Twitter by people as far away as America.
City council leader Councillor Paul James tweeted 'Better Glosta Coffee than Costa City'.
He is following in the footsteps of other traders who have hit back against national brand Costa.
Ian said: "I think it has hit a nerve with people as we are all surrounded by big brand shops and this campaign has a hint of rebellion."
He is also putting his 'coffee where his mouth is' and offering people a free hot drink if they 'like' Oasis Cafe on Facebook.
A spokeswoman for Costa Coffee said it was a 'proud member of the Gloucester community' and employed 50 people in the area.
She added:"We honestly do not think that anyone should see Costa as a threat to independent businesses.
"Our offering is very different to local independent coffee shops and we believe that people can and will use both, depending on their needs."
Ian Spencer was feature in The Citizen last week with his Glosta Coffee logo.
It pokes fun at his rivals and urges people to buy their hot drinks at his Oasis Cafe instead of big chains.
Ian said people have been going into the Southgate Street venue to congratulate him on the idea.
"We have had a fantastic reaction from people and it's been really encouraging."
Owner of Peppers off Westgate Street Ann Woolbridge said: "I'm definitely backing the campaign.
"We get our fairtrade, organic coffee from Wales.
"We are being swamped by big brands in Gloucester and we should fight back."
Ian was shocked when his story spread to The Telegraph, Heart FM and other national media.
The story has also been shared on Twitter by people as far away as America.
City council leader Councillor Paul James tweeted 'Better Glosta Coffee than Costa City'.
He is following in the footsteps of other traders who have hit back against national brand Costa.
Ian said: "I think it has hit a nerve with people as we are all surrounded by big brand shops and this campaign has a hint of rebellion."
He is also putting his 'coffee where his mouth is' and offering people a free hot drink if they 'like' Oasis Cafe on Facebook.
A spokeswoman for Costa Coffee said it was a 'proud member of the Gloucester community' and employed 50 people in the area.
She added:"We honestly do not think that anyone should see Costa as a threat to independent businesses.
"Our offering is very different to local independent coffee shops and we believe that people can and will use both, depending on their needs."
