COSTA outlet number 10 could soon be on its way to Gloucester.
The coffee giant is set to build a drive-thru coffee house at the new Railway Triangle site but city centre traders are worried it could have a detrimental impact on them.
Ian Spencer, of the Oasis Cafe in Southgate Street, who formed the Glosta Coffee campaign to keep independent traders in the spotlight, believes a drive-thru Costa next to the upcoming Morrisons store won't help the city centre.
"Costa seems to be everywhere," he said. "If you can go shopping and not even get out of your car for a coffee, why visit the city centre?
"We're better and cheaper and that's what the campaign is about."
Gloucester City Council cabinet member for performance and resources, Fred Wood, said he occupied the middle ground over the issue.
"It would be nice to have more independents if they are able to but if they are not, then a known brand like Costa is bound to come forward," he said.
"It's market forces – if people like it, they will go there but it's their choice."
Developer LXB has handed over the £8million site to Morrisons, which plans to open a supermarket there by November.
LXB has also exchanged contracts with Costa Coffee to build a drive-through cafe on the Triangle Retail and Business Park at Metz Way.
"This is a relatively new concept for the successful coffee shop chain and will sit opposite the Morrisons store which is now being fitted out, following the handover of the store to the food retailer last week," said an LXB spokesman. We will be seeking detailed planning permission for Costa imminently and are looking to start on site with phase two as soon as possible, retaining the construction jobs that have already been generated on the site.
"We are in detailed negotiations with a number of other occupiers seeking space on the scheme."
