South Cumbria could be set to get its first ever Starbucks – with an application for a drive-thru having been submitted to the council.
Rawdon Property Group Ltd is seeking permission for opening hours of between 5am and 11pm on behalf of the coffee chain.
Michelle Scrogham, chairman of Ulverston Business Improvement District, said she would welcome the arrival of Starbucks at the town’s Beehive Business Park but would not personally visit due to the company paying little tax.
“I think any business that takes money in a country from its residents should pay their fair share of its taxes,” she said.
“They always used to be one of my favourite places.”
However, she said any new business, despite her own preferences, would be a ‘welcome addition’ to Ulverston.
“But, personally, I prefer to see businesses in the town centre to improve the town’s offering,” she said. “If you have lots of businesses within the town centre, the more choice there is within the town centre, the more of a draw it is.
“Economically, it’s better to have everything located within the middle rather than retail parks or out-of-town shops.”
Ms Scrogham felt that people shopping in the town centre were encouraged to also spend money on food and drink, therefore benefiting businesses such as cafés.
A transport statement submitted by DW Transportation in support of the application says the impact on traffic of the development would be ‘negligible’.
“The majority of the trips generated would already be passing by the site on the A590, and many of these trips would be linked with other uses on the business park,” says the statement.
“No accidents have been recorded in the vicinity of the site since the new traffic signal junction was constructed on the A590 in 2017.
“The additional turning movements at the site are not anticipated to have a significant impact on highway safety.”
The proposal includes 18 vehicle parking spaces, including two disabled spaces, and parking spaces for six bicycles.
The Starbucks drive-thru would be next to the new Greggs – also a drive-thru – that is due to open later this year.
Plans for the Greggs store were approved in February of this year and included 16 parking spaces.
A planning statement submitted as part of the application said: “This proposal results in no loss of employment space as the site has not yet been developed and so makes zero contribution to the economy at the current time.
“Furthermore, it is expected that Greggs will provide 20 jobs – two full-time and 18 part-time – making a significant contribution to the economy.”
The Starbucks application has been submitted to South Lakeland District Council for approval.
