More than half of Plymouth people think there should be a blanket ban on any more chain coffee shops opening in the city, figures from a poll reveal. Last week it was announced a brand new drive-thru Starbucks was given the go-ahead to be built for city planning chiefs - right next to THREE other Costa Coffees. The new Starbucks coffee shop will be built on the car park at the Coypool Retail Park off Plymouth Road at Plympton. Councillors approved a planning application for the unit due to be occupied by the US-owned coffee chain despite concerns about its impact on things like local traffic. In the story breaking the news, Plymouth Live created a poll asking readers if it was time to ban more chain coffee shops opening in the city. The question posed was, 'Does Plymouth have too many chain coffee shops?' and the answers were, 'Yes - there should be a ban on any more opening'; 'No - they are good for the city's economy and we should have more'; 'I'm not really bothered - … [Read more...] about Calls to ban any more chain coffee shops opening in Plymouth
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The best coffee shops in Coventry
We're a nation of coffee lovers - and most of us simply can't start our day without our fix of the brown stuff. But where do you get the best cuppa in Coventry? Costa, Caffé Nero and Starbucks are all competing for our custom - then there's McDonald's serving up a range of café treats too. And that's before you even start to consider all the city's independent coffee shops. Read More Food and drink stories With that much choice, it can be hard to know where to go for a cuppa that's a bit more than hot water and a few instant coffee granules. So we've rounded up some of the best tea and coffee shops in Coventry to help. Here's the top 10, as voted by you on TripAdvisor. Enjoy! Time Line The best coffee shops in Coventry according to TripAdvisor 10. Castle Yard Tea Rooms Castle Yard Tea Rooms - in the shadow of the Cathedral's ruins - kicks off our list of the best coffee shops in Coventry. Fairly new to the city, this shop opened in June 2018. While customers rave about … [Read more...] about The best coffee shops in Coventry
For and against: Independent cinema chain heading for The Ridings Shopping Centre
News that a new cinema is to open in The Ridings Shopping Centre has received mixed reaction from you, our readers. Ridings owner NewRiver has struck a deal with independent chain Reel Cinemas to convert three empty units on the top floor of the centre into a five-screen venue that will open in 2019.FULL STORY: Cinema chain headed for The Ridings Shopping CentreBut the news hasn't really been met with positivity, with readers giving their own ideas and views as to what should be brought to the shopping centre.Paula Lightfoot suggested: "Turn whole thing into a leisure complex get bowling back etc."Kyle Thomas said: "Any investment is good news to the area. Cineworld are dead because of extortionate prices. From what I’ve seen, Reel cinemas tickets are around £5 each so I’m sure they’ll thrive."Antony Gatley: "Usual naysayers moaning, support and get behind something for a change, at least they are thinking differently and trying new things.Joanne Heaton: "We … [Read more...] about For and against: Independent cinema chain heading for The Ridings Shopping Centre
Meet the droves of people doing their last minute Christmas shopping
It’s the last Saturday before Christmas and shoppers were out in their droves as they pick up their last minute buys. And thousands headed straight for Newcastle city centre and the MetroCentre to get their presents ahead of December 25. It was estimated up to 190,000 shoppers passed through the doors of Eldon Square on Friday in what is believed to be the centre's busiest day of the year. Rebecca Alstead, 29, travelled to Newcastle with her grandmother Kath Rodgers, 82, from Middlesbrough, to do her last shop. Rebecca said: “I came to do the last minute shopping mostly for my dad Simon. Anything to do with trains, he’s a great train fan so I will get him something to do with that. Shoppers were out in their droves as they picked up their last-minute buys View gallery “We came to Newcastle early this morning and parked at 8am. We then went to my brother’s flat in Dean Street to wait for the shops opening and we came straight out to get what we … [Read more...] about Meet the droves of people doing their last minute Christmas shopping
Fancy a chippy? Where was your favourite fish and chip shop?
Do you remember when fish and chip shops sold … well, fish and chips? OK, mushy peas as well. But not kebabs and pizzas, and certainly not deep-fried Mars Bars and battered Brussels sprouts. Sir Winston Churchill called fish and chips “the good companions” and they have certainly boosted the nation’s morale, especially through two world wars. No one is quite sure where fish and chips originated. Some claim that fried fish was introduced to Britain by 18th-century Jewish refugees from Spain and Portugal. The dish makes an appearance in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist in 1839, referenced as a “fried fish warehouse”. Twenty years later, in A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens describes “husky chips of potatoes, fried with some reluctant drops of oil”. In the 1860s one Joseph Malin opened a chain of fish and chip shops in London. Near Oldham, John Lees followed suit, and by the mid-19th century, fish and chips were a staple diet of … [Read more...] about Fancy a chippy? Where was your favourite fish and chip shop?