Totnes loses 'No to Costa' battle

The last bastion against the retail chains that dominate Britain's high streets has fallen after Costa Coffee won permission to open an outlet in Totnes.

A campaign group, No To Costa, staged a protest march in support of the 30 independent coffee shops in the historic Devon town and gathered 5,500 signatures opposing Costa's plans to expand into Fore Street. But South Hams District Council approved the application.

The Mayor of Totnes, Pru Boswell, said: "I'm an extremely cross Mayor and very disappointed and upset."