Letter: Costa Have Gone Too Far

Published on: 11 Sep, 2015
Updated on: 11 Sep, 2015

Costa Coffee, in Swan Lane, is expanding.

From Eddie Ward

Why would Costa need an advertising board in this situation at all, let alone in this position?

A-boards on pavements in general are a pain, but this expansion in Swan Lane is way over the top. There is only room for two people, at a push, to walk together at this point.

Is any planning permission necessary for outdoor seating like this?

I like to sit outside in the sunshine too but this is going too far – about two yards too far.

Responses to Letter: Costa Have Gone Too Far

Dave Middleton Reply

September 11, 2015 at 8:02 pm

Some basic checks on the highways section of the Surrey County Council website, tend to indicate that Swan Lane (road number D4004) is indeed a public highway, so perhaps Costa’s outdoor seating area is a highway obstruction.

Wilful obstruction of the highway, which is a criminal offence.

Anyway, it shows a lack of consideration for the people passing along Swan Lane.

Perhaps Costa might like to comment?
Brian Holt Reply

September 11, 2015 at 10:04 pm

On Tuesday I had to squeeze through a gap barely wide enough for two people, this is not fair especially to any blind people using Swan Lane. Access should be kept clear at all times for emergency vehicles, soon other shops will be copying them and also obstructing pedestrian access.

You are not meant to obstruct pavements with advertising boards, so why is Costa allowed to do this.
Brian Holt Reply

September 14, 2015 at 1:10 pm

Today I have spoken to an enforcement officer at Guildford Borough Council. He said Costa have planning permission to use two metres of space for tables. If anyone thinks they are using more than that they should email the council and complain so they can investigate it further.

Thanks to Brian Holt for taking the trouble to discover the official position and sharing it with other Guildford Dragon readers. Ed
Paul Spooner Reply

September 14, 2015 at 6:03 pm

I agree with Eddie Ward. Enforcement may well be necessary at this location if this obstruction continues.

Paul Spooner is a Conservative borough councillor for Ash South & Tongham and the lead councillor for planning.
John Robson Reply

September 15, 2015 at 8:57 am

“…email the council and complain”?

“Enforcement may be necessary”?

If it was a car it would’ve had a ticket on it by now.
Paul Spooner Reply

September 15, 2015 at 4:33 pm

Perhaps the publicity through The Guildford Dragon has had the desired effect? I have twice been down Swan Lane today and except for a misplaced seat or two Costa was compliant.

Paul Spooner is a Conservative borough councillor for Ash South & Tongham and the lead councillor for planning.
Brian Holt Reply

September 15, 2015 at 8:07 pm

After contacting Surrey County Council – Highways, they sent me a email to say a letter was sent to Costa
last week to remove the A boards. They will now monitor the location.

They were more helpful than Guildford Borough Council.
John Robson Reply

September 15, 2015 at 8:21 pm

Excellent, I’m glad the lead councillor for planning found the time to pop across (twice) with the Guildford Borough Council (GBC) tape measure.

But given the apparent appetite for a cafe culture, instead of shoehorning the likes of Costa (other brands are available) into their two metre wide “terrace” down a side street, why don’t GBC show some true vision and enhance the proposed Masterplan to fully pedestrianise the whole town centre?

I’m sure then with people having more room in which meander around Guildford there will be less enforcement work for the likes of The Dragon to do.
Dave Middleton Reply

October 28, 2015 at 3:19 pm

My apologies for resurrecting an old story, but it appears that Costa in Swan Lane are back to their old tricks.

Today I popped into town for a couple of bits and bobs and my route took me along Swan Lane.

Costa have yet again encroached on the public thoroughfare by at least double their permitted six feet for outside table space, taking up well over half the width of the road.

Perhaps it’s now time for the council to revoke their permit to use the space that they’re allowed?

That should get their attention!
Mary Bedforth Reply

November 3, 2015 at 2:04 pm

Costa are still occupying over half of the thoroughfare outside their Swan Lane premises. It is just not good enough.

Costa is a subsidiary of the Whitbread plc. Not good PR for them.