Stop Costa Coffee from hurting Bella's

25/12/20

Some good news for the Christmas and New Year period! Costa have changed their mind about moving into the old ticket office and are not planning to move in at this time. So Sam and Maggie at Bella’s have a huge amount of worry and stress lifted from them.

Costa eventually responded to Caroline Ansell, our MP and Christina Ewbank the CEO of the Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce both of whom made independent representations to Costa. Costa’s letters had the same message – they are not planning to move into the Eastbourne Terminus. The reason they gave was the effect the COVID19 pandemic was having on rail travel so there was insufficient justification for opening up a new outlet. We will keep an eye on things next year so there is a need to remain vigilant.

I am sure that Costa were well aware of the feelings of our community so our support added extra weight to all the letters sent to them. Our Mayor Steve Wallis also wrote to Costa and he may yet receive a reply from them. We had support from various companies in Eastbourne, councillors, David Ruddle of The Best of Eastbourne and, of course, The Eastbourne Herald gave us visibility through their regular reports.

The thing that really makes me happy is how an extended community of people, companies, organisations, councillors, the Mayor and our MP can come together and speak with a strong voice. What I have learned (again!) is that if you look for the good things in a community, you will certainly find them.

My warmest wishes to you for the Christmas period and the New Year.

Don