No 10 North Street

OCCUPIED BY COSTA COFFEE

The opening of Costa Coffee in Bourne was the subject of some controversy in the autumn of 2010 because the planning application was opposed by members of the town council who felt that it would create unfair competition for existing cafe outlets.

Costa Coffee, the prestigious national chain, applied for planning permission to open a new business at No 10 North Street which has been standing empty since the premises were vacated the previous year by the estate agents Quentin Marks who had moved to new offices across the road, but councillors voted against the scheme on the grounds that the town's independent shops should be protected. Their decision incurred the wrath of the Bourne Business Chamber and many residents who launched a protest group on the Internet social networking site Facebook.

Bourne Town Council has no planning powers and is only asked to comment on applications and although this particular one did not find favour with members of the highways and planning committee on Tuesday 12th October 2010, a final decision rested with South Kesteven District Council but the disapproval of councillors was sufficient to spark a lively debate, not only on the merits of the town having another food outlet but also the ability of our local representatives to deliver judgment on such matters.

The Facebook campaign soon had more than 300 signatories, accusing them of being “small minded” and of “draining Bourne of its lifeblood” while the business chamber claimed that the council was sending out the wrong message to national chains and that a big name would attract more shoppers to the town. The chairman, Kevin Hicks, told the Stamford Mercury (October 22nd): “Here we are in a period of recession trying to make Bourne a thriving town for everyone and yet we are turning down a national chain, which is the wrong message to send to a prospective business. If we can embrace a company like Costa Coffee then hopefully more positive things could come out of it and other national chains might consider moving here.”

Notices from Costa Coffee were posted in the window of the North Street premises accusing councillors of a narrow minded approach to new businesses coming into the town and added: “If they continue with such an approach then Bourne will become a ghost town with shoppers disappearing to Spalding, Stamford and Bourne to buy their goods rather than here.”

There was also a flood of protest letters to the Stamford Mercury (October 29th), a record number on any single subject, but among them was one from the Mayor of Bourne, Councillor Pet Moisey, also chairman of the town council, who valiantly tried to defend their decision. “By nailing colours to the mast”, she wrote, “I have incurred the wrath of many readers but they were not privy to, nor made any representation at the meeting. The council is not self-serving but tries to reflect all opinions before a vote is taken and it is disconcerting that the business chamber did not attend to ensure that their views were considered.”

Nevertheless, there was a distinct feeling in the town that the vote was taken by councillors without sufficient consultation with the people they represented, a view shared by SKDC which granted planning permission for the development in January 2011 and the coffee shop opened later that year.

No 10 North Street is now part of the Lloyds TSB building. The premises were built in 1881 and originally occupied by the Post Office and an associated shop run by the postmaster, John Pearce, but were re-fronted in the "Lloyds Bank style" when the bank was built circa 1903-04. The shop dealt in fancy goods as well as musical instruments, giftware, postcards and suchlike. The premises closed in 1981 when the Post Office moved to West Street and after that they were used as an estate agent's office until Costa Coffee took over in 2011.

No 10 North Street has been Grade II listed since 1977 and signage has therefore been restricted to subdued lettering only. The building is also in the heart of the town's Conservation Area and is one of several that comprise the town's most attractive facade seen by visitors approaching from the south on the main A15 and one that includes both the Town Hall and the Burghley Arms.

REVISED MARCH 2013