Why all this hullabaloo about proposals to open a Costa Coffee House in Ludlow? Surely an affordable coffee shop for both residents and visitors to Ludlow would be an asset to the town. While I appreciate the need to preserve Ludlow's heritage, this must be preferrable to the growing eyesore of empty shops and the ever illusive 'Bill Stickers!'

On this occasion, a slight nudge towards the 21st century would not detract from Ludlow's historic charm as the jewel in the crown of English tourism.

Welcome to the forum! I take it you're a Ludlow resident? :)

Whilst I too am not overly bothered by them opening up in Ludlow, some may feel that it may damage Ludlow's reputation as a town with few national chain stores, etc.

Hi Ludlow-life. Bien Venue!

I think it may be all the restaraunteers that are against a coffee house its a bit 'snobby'! Ludlow seems very up and coming in this field, not snobiness, creating good eating joints!. I would welcome anything that is going to substain the fortunes of your town personally, what next, Maccie D's,or do you already have one ?

Costa coffee isn't that bad, the one in Shrewsbury is in a lovely old building and looks pretty good in my opinion.

As an ardent coffee fan, and someone who loves to sit in coffee houses and watch the world go by, I'm happy, so long as there is someone in a town who can make decent coffee. It doesn't have to be one of the chains. I was in Costa in Shrewsbury on Saturday. It was OK - a bit noisy when full, like a lot of these places. (Aside >> Costa/Shrewsbury is in a very nice building. The flat above is for sale, for £300,000 :blink:).

Coffee houses are daytime haunts, and don't really detract anything from evening restaurants. It's more likely they take some business away from pubs in some areas. I can see the desire to keep the chains out (even cities such as Manchester have an ongoing debate about this). The best way to do that would be for someone local to set up a decent coffee place - many pubs now incorporate coffee houses, so maybe that would be a way to go.

When I was very young there was a large, excellent cafeteria called "Macs!" which was not a bit upmarket but very good for a good cheap meal. It was opposite the library and next door to the trouser factory.

That takes me back! As you say, it was a no-frills place offering good value and popular with country folk. It's a fish and chip/takeaway now I think.

A visit to Ludlow when I was a young lad was an event. Woolworths was a treasure trove and there was a shop in the Bull Ring (Wainwrights?) which did model railways...oh, and there was a castle as well.

So, the coffee shop is now open, has anyone been? I think it's lurrvley, a nice relaxed place to sit and watch the world go by.