Costa Coffee looks to open in Warminster

We understand that planning application for Costa Coffee has been granted by Wiltshire Council, but that this does not include the outside seating area which requires a separate licence.

It strikes me that what works well with small, independent traders are low-volume, high-margin niche or luxury products - i.e. stuff the supermarkets are unlikely to stock - just look at the number of gift, craft, jewellery and arty shops in Warminster and Frome, for example.

I have moved around a bit over the years in both England and Ireland, though I grew up in, and always spend some time in Warminster. I look at towns in these Islands, and see the small local independent businesses vanish. It seems that Solicitors and dentists remain, and sometimes an amazing local shop with a reputation for good service, and much local support. (Cordons for example). Specialist shops like Warminster's Antique shops seem to keep going. However, each time a chain enterprise arrives, or each new Service provided by the Supermarkets, threatens local enterprise...My parents were retailers in Silver Street in the 60s, and 70s. I have said it on this site before. As I walked to school back then, I passed every kind of business imaginable, in Silver Street, and George Street alone. They have all gone now. Bakers, butchers, grocers, cafe's, restaurants, bookmakers, toy shops, Electrical shops, clothes shops, chemists, greengrocers, barbers, hairdressers,etc.
I don't think we can stop the trend, but the individuality, the personal service, the dealing with the owner, the small town community atmosphere, go when the shops go. Is it progress?

Do you think there is any category of local independent business which will still be on the High Street in 10 years time?

The coffee is fine, but another chain is just another nail in the coffin of local family run businesses. In the end, there will be massive commercial enterprise in all the small towns; and already towns are starting to all look the same...Then, we will all be at the mercy of not just Overpaid politicians, and Bankers; but also at the mercy of their friends who run the commercial empires. You won't stop it, and nor will I, but when the big guns of the powerful are marching into town, we should at least be aware of what is happening. Older residents of Warminster will understand that it has already happened, largely. Just stand in the town centre, and start counting the local shops etc, that have gone in the last couple of decades.