Bakewell’s anti-Costa campaign is dropped

Anti Costa Coffee protestors outside the Bakewell building were the chain intends to open an outlet

The anti-Costa campaign group launched in December 2012 after the coffee retailer was granted planning permission, on appeal, to open a 54-seater cafe in Kings Street, Bakewell.

In the two months the campaign was running, almost 8,000 people signed a petition to stop Costa opening an outlet.

But after a meeting with Jason Cotta, Costa Coffee managing director, on February 15, campaigners decided they had reached “the end of the road”.

Nigel Johns, anti-Costa spokesperson, said: “Despite us presenting detailed studies showing the damage the new outlet would cause Bakewell, Costa were unmoved and stated that they would press ahead regardless.”

Jemma Pheasey, of the Bakewell Pudding Shop, said: “We are very disappointed with the outcome.”

Costa plan to open a store in the next three months.