Costa Coffee could open a shop near Preston Park

A former off-licence could become a branch of Costa Coffee if proposals are approved by the council.
Former Hartleys in Preston Road, BrightonFormer Hartleys in Preston Road, Brighton
Former Hartleys in Preston Road, Brighton

Planning permission is being sought to convert the former Hartley’s store at 225 Preston Road on the corner of Lauriston Road.

In the supporting statement, the owner’s agent Architecture Design Limited described coffee shops as playing an important part in revitalising the high street.

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The agent used examples from a report by Allegra Strategies that suggest that British high streets are ‘enjoying significant economic and social benefits brought by the rise of branded and independent coffee shops’.

According to the coffee chain’s design statement, the proposed Costa will make a ‘positive contribution to the vitality and viability of the parade’.

The statement said: “The Role of Coffee Shops on the High Street report demonstrates that the presence of coffee shops typically boosts local high street economies by 2 to 4 per cent through a combination of increased footfall and dwell time.

“Footfall studies show that branded coffee shops can increase high street footfall by up to 28 per cent.”

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More than half of consumers interviewed for the study said that they were more likely to shop for longer when there were coffee shops near by.

The proposed Costa branch is expected to provide four full-time and two part-time jobs.

According to the plans, no ventilation system will be needed as food would not be cooked or prepared on the premises but warmed up.

Anyone interested in commenting on the application can search for BH2018/03251 on Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning portal planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk.

Sarah Booker-Lewis is the Local Democracy Reporter for Brighton & Hove.