Town keeps individuality
I’m so thrilled that Costa coffee has backtracked on its plans to set up a shop in the east Devon town of Totnes. I’ve been holidaying with my family in this part of Devon for all 23 years of my life, and Totnes is a favourite haunt for all of us. A haven for entrepeneurs, artists, creative types and foodies, Totnes is a seriously ‘cool’ place to be in! The place has a tight knit community feel, and the town has one of the lowest percentages of big brand and chain stores in the country. The local shops are diverse and unique, and there is a serious emphasis on local produce, ethical standards and practices, and being as Eco friendly as possible.
Some of my favourites include The Ticklemore Cheese Shop www.ticklemorecheese.co.uk (as well as its own speciality blue cheeses it also stocks my local favourite – Sharpham Rustic), The Drift Record Shop http://thedriftrecordshop.net/ where can get recommendations from someone who really knows music, rather than the blank faced youths common in today’s music stores) and The Green Cafe ( yummy wholesome food, great atmosphere, and the winners of multiple awards for their efforts to be ecologically friendly). I haven’t seen any of the empty shop fronts or closing down sale signs that seem to be indicative of high streets in this recession, and even on a chilly damp September afternoon when the height of the tourist season is over, Totnes is still bustling. Even shops selling luxury items such as The Conker Shoe company http://conkershoes.com/ (gorgeous handmade leather shoes and goods) are still doing a good trade. These shops aren’t stuck in the past, many of them have professional looking websites, and trade nationwide as well as being renowned in the area. Totnes isn’t just synonomous with quirkiness and individuality (hence the local phrase ‘a bit TQ9’) but also with quality, and you really get the feeling that the community of Totnes take enormous pride in their town and what it stands for.
So it was hardly surprising that when the huge chain Costa managed to acquire planning permission to convert a prime spot on the high street into one of their shops there was an immediate uproar. Like the occupants of many small towns before them, the residents of Totnes and local businesses were horrified and alarmed by the imminent invasion. As a Totnes lover, and someone who appreciates all the things that make it so unique, I could understand their concerns. Local businesses were bound to suffer, not because any of the locals or frequent visitors would patronise the Costa, but because new visitors to Totnes and fresh batches of tourists would get off the bus at the bottom of the road, see the Costa, and be tempted by the safety, familiarity, and convenience of what they’d had before, rather than explore the side streets and back roads to find the little gems of local coffee shops and cafes. For as many residents indignantly pointed out, Totnes doesn’t exactly have a shortage of places to get a coffee – there are over 40 possibilities to choose from.
But amazingly, after the passionate efforts of the locals, who created a ‘no to Costa’ campaign group http://www.notocosta.co.uk/ and drew up a petition that was signed by over 5000 locals and Totnes lovers, Costa have withdrawn their plans and left Totnes in peace. I’m actually astounded, because I think this has to be a landmark case. You only ever hear of big businesses ploughing on and bulldozering over everyone in their wake as they seek to expand and rake in more profits, so I’m gratified that one has lent an ear to the concerns of people who might actually be affected, and decided that, on balance, the potential damage to community and individuality renders their presence in Totnes unsuitable.