Totnes: the town that declared war on global capitalism
The locals of the Devon resort have gone to war â with Costa Coffee. But why are they desperate to stop a branch of the giant chain opening up in town? And can they win?
John Harris
The Guardian, Wednesday 15 August 2012 18.52 BST
It's a balmy Tuesday evening in Totnes, the small Devon town that sits just below the south-western tip of the M5. Outside the Methodist church hall, a hand-drawn notice simply says "Adios Costa". Inside, around 45 people are having an animated discussion about the imminent arrival of the ever-expanding coffee chain. There is a lot of talk about a failure of democracy, and the emptiness of what politicians call "Localism" â but, more interestingly, an emphasis on what might happen when the town's newest arrival actually opens its doors.
"Totnes's local economy looks to be in reasonable health, which is surely down to the fact that it is about as far from being what we now call a "clone town" as could be imagined. The local record shop, Drift, is mind-bogglingly great: the kind of place that you'd think was amazing if you found it in New York. The quality and diversity of restaurants is amazing. Most pertinently, the town has 42 independently run outlets that serve coffee, and â so far â not a single branch of any of the big caffeine-selling multiples.
its stores. For example, we work with a family run bakery to produce our cakes, with dedicated dairy farmers for our milk and use British meat in our savoury lines. At a time when many businesses are closing, we are one of the success stories of British business, creating jobs right across the UK."
The local scene here. Totnes is a town built on a local currency and the local initiative.
Balls to biig Govt & big chains of shops !!
Even a castle if OT wants to come !!
