Dear Mr Rogers

We are a group of residents and businesses in the town of Cowes Isle of Wight.  We have discovered that Costa Coffee has recently submitted a planning application to open an establishment in the town.  We are extremely concerned that such a small town like Cowes will not be able to survive the competition and corporate nature of Costa Coffee.

We are inspired by the campaign, local support, national and international media coverage that the town of Totnes gained when they also objected to Costa setting up in their town. Cowes is significantly smaller than Totnes and currently house 27 establishments that offer a similar, if not identical service to that of Costa.  Cowes is one long street from Shooters Hill, the High Street and onto the Esplanade.  It houses independent Coffee shops, public houses and restaurants which provide the town and it's visitors with local Isle of Wight produce.  Costa will not do this, it will undermine the local supply chain and use mainland operators, undercutting local business, destroying the dynamic of the town.  Local food suppliers and services currently provide the local independent eateries, and Costa will have a negative outcome for the town and local business. We pride ourselves on the low quota of vacant business premises and if Costa were to begin trading in Cowes, the quota for empty promises would rise.  The quota for A1/A3 business is also at its limit, so Costa will not bring any needed trade to the town.

We have looked into the coverage of the Totnes campaign, and it was clear to us that Costa were not keen on the negative publicity and media which the campaign coverage was gaining.  The 'small town takeover' has not been popular for Costa and this has been recognised by yourself, leading to the withdrawal of the application to trade in the area.  We note that high profile individuals such as Mary Portas commented in national newspapers that she welcomed your decision to withdraw your application and allow the local independent dynamic to continue.  She and other high profile individuals have been alerted that 'Costas are still at it', and are now targeting even smaller towns like Cowes.

We are concerned about some extremely important key issues your planning agent Savills in Cardiff has overlooked.  Section 12 of the Planning application to the Isle of Wight Council asks the applicant if there is any risk of flooding.  The box was ticked 'NO'.  112 High Street is an Environment Agency Flood Risk Level 3.  This was highlighted last February when Cowes High Street flooded.  The rain water from the street ran down the hill into 112 high street causing the drains to overflow and raw sewage began to seep through the flooring causing the establishment to close.  The schematic plan also submitted to the planning department also clearly states that the external 900mm rise would stay intact as there 'was risk from flooding.  That is flooding from the front and rear of the property.  As Costa is serving and storing food, we deem this unacceptable to overlook, or omit such an important detail.

We have also read another supporting document submitted as an appendix.  This is a survey carried out regarding 'Coffee shops in towns'.  The survey was carried out in 6 Cities and very large towns which are clearly able to occupy the competiton and dynamic of Costas, Starbucks and Cafe Neros.  These were Cobham, Bath, London, Glasgow and Sheffield.  To submit these as supporting evidence is clumsy and flawed.  Cowes town is tiny in comparison, and the points highlighted in this survey are not relevant.

The GOAD 2013 document is also out of date.  There is now a Marks and Spencer Foodhall and cafe housing 26 seats directly opposite 112 High Street Cowes.  This was not on the document or plan submitted by Costa.  Costa have also cut off part of the High street on their application plan, which houses 4 more eateries/cafes.

Cowes and the Isle of Wight in particular is a seasonal destination and the town has learned to work in conjunction with this and all businesses are able to stay open and survive throughout the year because of local communication and dynamic. Costa strike us as a profit driven, revenue target establishment, and the quieter months of the year will not be sufficient for them to stay as a consistent business, and more disappointing, will destroy the current competition levels and subsequently shut many businesses, having a knock on effect.

As you did in Totnes, we urge you to visit Cowes and see for yourself.  This is a small town takeover with no thought to the environment or dynamic of the town or local independent traders.