On 10 Jan 2013 at 1:45pm Frak wrote:
An interesting article considering the earlier Runaway thread.
And on a similar note I do find it funny that on their website the tiny Flying Coffee Bean cabin at Brighton station is described on their website as a 'flagship store'.
Check it out here »
On 10 Jan 2013 at 3:30pm bastian wrote:
Totnes has just thrown Costa out becaus ethey have so amny independant coffee outlets they don't want another National branch. Do this company pay their taxes in the UK?
On 10 Jan 2013 at 9:35pm Amy wrote:
Costa is part of Whitbread and are a UK company. They do pay taxes see theire website.
On 10 Jan 2013 at 10:02pm expat two wrote:
I doubt it Bastian, that's not what big businesses do.
Lie about it on a website maybe, but pay taxes?
On 11 Jan 2013 at 11:52am Ed Can Do wrote:
Actually, Costa do pay their share of tax, or at least a lot closer to it than most of their competitors.
On 11 Jan 2013 at 1:59pm bastian wrote:
No does this new company pay its taxes, the one moving in on the runnaway
On 11 Jan 2013 at 6:48pm The Flying Coffee Bean wrote:
Dear Residents of Lewes,
I know that many of you are fiercely protective of The Runaway on Lewes Station, perhaps in the same way that I am fiercely protective of my company??s independence.
I wanted to write to you to tell you who I am and who we are as a company. With the enduring help of my colleagues, we have built up a diverse company that strives to do things in our own way.
I have for some years fought the big chains in tender after tender, championing our independence.
Many of you may know our shop and staff on the Concourse at Brighton Station where we have been serving our customers since 2004. We are also delighted to be opening a new shop at Hayward??s Heath Station in February of this year. These tenders have been won partly because of our independence and partly because of the unique approach that we can bring to each site? a freedom that the ??chains?? are shackled from? chain by name, chained by nature.
So we come to the Tender for Lewes?.
I love the Runaway café. I love everything it stands for. Its sense of place. A world away from the hustle and bustle of commercial life. A unique and wonderful place.
It is obvious that there is investment required, but what was very clear was that the Runaway had a spirit all of its own.. . It is fantastic, and it has always been abundantly clear to me that should I be fortunate enough to succeed in the Tender for the Runaway, I would then become the custodian and guardian of the ??Runaway? and all it stands for.
My tender to Southern Railways was very to the point. ??To enhance everything that is great about the Runaway? including the name, the music, the leaf teas? but to also invest.
We will be working with the National Heritage trust to research colours and finishes of Victorian and Edwardian stations (based in London) and the Conservation Officer in Lewes. The interior layout of the Runaway will remain, but to now include a reclaimed Victorian bar circa 1901, communal old kitchen tables (and smaller) all from reclaimed sources, to replace the floor with reclaimed oak floorboards, etc, etc..
We would want to work in consultation with you all to build on that great sense of well being that the Runaway has always provided.
I know that many of you will want to respond to my sentiments expressed above and I look forward to being able to communicate in an open and sensible forum.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and have a great weekend.
Barny Clevely
Managing Director
The Flying Coffee Bean
On 11 Jan 2013 at 9:22pm scary portas wrote:
Er Barny, how much is a cup of loose leaf tea going to be. If you charge less than the Runaway initially then all this whoo-haa will be largely forgotten.
On 11 Jan 2013 at 9:36pm Dave wrote:
Good on you Barny for taking the time and trouble to find out what Lewes customers appreciate about the existing setup.
We all realise you need to make a living and of course that's fair enough and no doubt you will employ local staff but Lewes is a bit different from most towns on the line and commuters will respond to a sense of respect to that.
I wish you luck
On 13 Jan 2013 at 2:12pm Down South wrote:
OK, good the Bean have responded. Could be different, neednt be worse, but what's gone's gone. Cuppa open-mindedness for what's coming up, anyone?