Starbucks, yes, shitty Starbucks! A scummy company no question about it.
A corporate vulture in fact, guilty of a friendly lil business practice known as cannibalisation where sister stores are opened to feed and compete with each others custom, slowly squeezing the local cafes out – there are worryingly now five SBs in this city alone and SB’s HQ have stated they plan to roll out another 100 stores in our lucky country this year; supplying coffee to Guantanamo Bay (to pour over the inmates no doubt); and of course, lovely homogenisation. One day we’ll all wake up to find out that blessed Brighton has overnight turned into one big shiny soulless commercialised consumer’s wet dream.
The arrogant twats even refitted as a café before permission was even determined assuming (or knowing more like) their money, clout, and fancy solicitors could sort any annoying little details like, you know, planning laws and community feeling.
The latest crap to come – other than their (unfairly traded) coffee - from these shameless profit-hungry lot is that they’re not in fact a café - they’re a SHOP. Riiiight! So the cuddly sofas are imaginary and mannequins sitting in there are sipping on skinny lattes and local traders' blood.
The council ARE for once doing something about it and are taking enforcement action but as we know nothing’s fast in local government and in the meantime this faceless company are taking trade away from the 17 other independently-run cafes in the area and local economy.
Well, this time they’ve met their match because this is Brighton, right, you with me? Alternative, independent, quirky, you know the place. Well, if you love it here then come along and show your support, persuade a few shoppers to see the light, and help protect our city because the chains are coming quick and fast and it’s time to say ENOUGH.
Demos outside Starbucks, St James St, Kemptown. Every Saturday Noon - 2pm.