Cork city businesses voice their opposition to chains

People encouraged to support local firms that ‘struggled along’

Cork businesses have voiced their opposition to chain brands opening in the city centre.

The owners of Sober Lane and Idaho Cafe are against the plans for Starbucks and Wetherspoon’s to move into the city.

British pub chain Wetherspoon’s is planning to open an outlet on Paul Street and Starbucks is set to open on Princes Street.

A post on Sober Lane’s Facebook page says they will “have not delivered” if their customers choose to move to chain brands.

In an impassioned speech, they encourage the people of Cork to support local businesses which have “struggled along, pulled together and survived”.

“If you the customer, the person who has supported us for years, through the hard times, feels the need to take your business to one if these chains, we have let you down,” they wrote. “We have not delivered.”

Our thoughts on Weatherspoons, Starbucks etc - if you feel the need to go to somewhere like that - we, the independents, have let you down

— Sober Lane (@soberlane) January 10, 2015

They praise their local competition, namely Idaho Cafe, Cafe Gusto, Filter, and the Rocket Man, saying their products are far superior to mass-produced goods.

“They are not a patch on the waffles from Idaho Cafe or the turkey club in Cafe Gusto, and never will be.

“The day Pat Fitz plays in Wetherspoon’s or they flip a coin is the day hell freezes over”.

They believe the multinationals’ interest in setting up in Cork is a result of the hard work of local businesses to make it a thriving city.

“Now for the silver lining — it is a huge vote of confidence in the city centre, in our city, that these big chains reckon Cork is worth a bet.

“They watched on the sidelines while we struggled along, pulled together and survived. Soon we will be thriving and they want a part of it. The more the merrier — bring it on.”

To @jdwtweet @Starbucks @NandosIRE @CostaCoffee @JamiesItalianIE - #wearecork #weareindependent #werock pic.twitter.com/a4pAvNos7s

— Sober Lane (@soberlane) January 10, 2015

They welcome the competition, and they argue that local businesses must be supported regardless, as “Cork people look after Cork people”.

Enjoyed the piece on your website - inspired me @idahocafe - let's hatch a plan to make sure people remember how good we are :) #bestwaffles

— Sober Lane (@soberlane) January 10, 2015

The call-to-arms comes as nearby cafe owner Richard Jacob spoke out against Starbucks’ planned move to Cork city.

“Independents provide that uniqueness, that unique selling point, that Cork, as a city needs,” says Mr Jacob.

Today's Bored .#coffee pic.twitter.com/qf3d2PlZIU

— Richard Jacob (@IdahoNua) January 9, 2015

“We cannot compete with larger cities for large scale retailing , but we can offer a completely different place.

“Cork still has streets filled with family-owned shops and restaurants, markets filled with traders who have a story to tell and bars unchanged in decades. This is our strength, our story, our selling point.

@idahocafe u make a fair point - unique Locally owned cafés r what gives a food city real Character and personality

— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) January 9, 2015

“If we allow small shops to be replaced by ubiquitous chains selling a product available internationally we sell our very soul.

“This is our only chance to say ‘No, we are different, our city is different and we want it kept different.”