I really like that!

So, we're getting a Starbucks in Folkestone within the next two weeks, according to a small news piece in the Herald. You may think these chain coffee stores are the enemy, but they're surely a sign of regeneration, which is a good thing. AND, they do food and drinks especially aimed at vegans, very progressive, big thumbs up.

No venue confirmed yet, but my money is on Sandgate Road, the Ciro Citterio suit shop opposite Debenhams has closed down in a bit of a hurry, could be there.

Noticed yesterday too that the British Heart Foundation shop is also closing, remember when charity shops close this is also a good thing, it means there's a real business paying full rent that's waiting to move in.

What on earth is going to fill the space left by M&S though? That's one huge store...

pauly :: 2006 :: Comment / reply

RE: As one store closes...

An old property investment adage has it that a good place to invest is somewhere that has a Blockbuster, but not yet a Starbucks. So Folkestone must be on the up.

Dunno what the denizens of Folkestone would make of Fresh & Wild; probably think it was a lap-dancing club...

21 Apr :: 2006 :: Comment / reply

I really like that!

Who are you, are you local?

pauly :: 21 Apr :: 2006 :: Comment / reply

RE: As one store closes...

Having a Starbucks is not a good thing, what will happen to all those little cafes on our street corners, particularly the fabulous Chambers? Starbucks will not provide healthy competition as some people might think,they are a multinational company only in it for the money.
My money will still be spent in quirky little street cafes, I for one will not be tempted by Starbucks!

anon :: 9 Apr :: 2006 :: Comment / reply

RE: As one store closes...

Starbucks "Only in it for the money" - no sh*t! Folkestone need companies like this to help bring it back to life.

anon :: 9 Apr :: 2006 :: Comment / reply

RE: As one store closes...

Getting a Starbucks is not a sign of regeneration... They are everywhere. They're just expanding their presence. They just don't have one here yet. Simple as that.

A sushi bar opening up in Folkestone - that would be a sign of regeneration... and of my dreams coming true... Mmmmm... sushi.... slobber...

12 Apr :: 2006 :: Comment / reply

Where starbucks lead, yo below will follow

Hmm, that's another chain, and lots of people don't like them, but I'd rather have a few quality chains like Nandos, Fresh and Wild, Pizza Express and so on, than street after street of independent pound shops.

Is there such a thing as English Sushi? Maybe Folkestone could be the forerunner in it, being on the sea there ought to be more made of this in the restaurants in the town. I don't eat fish myself so am not sure what's about and what's not, but I know I have been laughed out the door for asking if there is somewhere to get nice fresh fish down by the harbour.

pauly :: 12 Apr :: 2006 :: Comment / reply

RE: Where starbucks lead, yo below will follow

fresh and wild, now THAT would be fabulous! Let's start a petition to get them here!

13 Apr :: 2006 :: Comment / reply

It's another chain though

Apparently in Stoke Newington (where I lived before Folkestone) there were protests when Fresh and Wild were planning to move into Church Street, as it was a chain and would upset the unique villageyness of the place.

pauly :: 13 Apr :: 2006 :: Comment / reply

RE: It's another chain though

The villagyness of Stokey! - blimey pauly, delusions of grandeur! Folkestone is unfortunately not Highgate on sea and loosing M&S is a blow (it's been here for 80 years I heard) and so even a chain such a Starbucks can only be a good thing. The more 'names' the better I would think?

mick :: 13 Apr :: 2006 :: Comment / reply

Yeah as I say it was before I lived there

Oh no, I sounded like one of those "Folkestone Arts" types... I loved Fresh and Wild, most people do, but I'm just saying that some people (the early adopter bohemian meeja types who lived in Stokey in the early '90s) see all chains as bad, but then again some people who say they see all chains as bad would love something like Fresh and Wild, that other people objected to strongly. I don't want to live in a village right now, the independent hand made toys and rubbish boutiques of Stoke Newington Church Street really got on my tits, but the restaurants and pubs there were fantastic. I would choose Il Bacio over a Pizza Express, and think that The Defoe was a better pub than Chambers. Hmm I've lost my train of thought now and can't remember why I moved here again...

Anyway, la la la not listening to you, Folkestone is Highgate-on-Sea, the West End is mostly like Primrose Hill I think...

Losing M&S (another chain) is bad, it is also just WEIRD, when it seems other big stores are lining up to move in. It could be just the big gap between now and the new shopping centre being open, maybe M&S will come back then?

To sum up, some chains are GOOD for a town, most are very good for a town that's been in the doldrums like this one for so long, Starbucks will be good for this town.