Storm in a coffee cup? Berkhamsted market traders take on Costa Coffee

By LaraKing | Wednesday, August 04, 2010, 16:24

Berkhamsted High Street will feel a little more crowded on Saturday mornings after Costa Coffee won the right to put chairs outside on market days.

Costa Coffee will be allowed to provide pavement seating on market days

It may be a popular move among coffee-lovers wanting to enjoy the sunshine, but 13 stallholders signed a petition against it - fearing it will encroach on the market and take up space that could be used by traders.

The Berkhamsted Town Hall Trust will receive an extra £4,000 per year in rent from the shop.

What do you think? Should Costa Coffee be allowed to take up the pavement, or should Berkhamsted's market take precedence?

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Comments

Personally I would favour the traders; they are in Berkhamsted what twice a week and the charter has probably been in place for many, many years. Whereas Costa Coffee have been in Berkhamsted for 5 minutes...

By Alison Page Marketing at 16:46 on 08/09/10
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It would be good to know if it was possible for residents to sign the petition (and or if the Town Hall trust would consider residents views?)

By lucynakim at 15:46 on 29/08/10
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I can see what they are complaining about. Its already fairly cramped along that strech of pavement, without the addition of a few more tables and chairs to get past.

By Ralphus99 at 21:27 on 08/08/10
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Yeah, good point Amanda, it wouldn't really be a relaxing experience on market day. I still don't really see what the traders are complaining about though!

By AliceYoung at 16:47 on 05/08/10
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I agree with Alice that it's lovely to sit outside with a coffee. But the thing is, I'd never want to do it on market day - the High Street becomes so noisy and cluttered and instead of all that space shown in the photo above, there are crowds of shoppers and traders encroaching right up to the front of the shop. I love sitting outside Costa for a leisurely coffee on any other day, but I just wouldn't bother on market day, so I think perhaps they're wasting their energy fighting for it.

By AmandaCarter at 10:42 on 05/08/10
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