Love them or hate them, chain cafes such as Caffe Nero and Starbucks are a go-to location for weary travellers, mums with tots, and those on the way to or from work. These chain establishments provide something hot, wet and caffeinated to see tired soles through their day.
I get the pull. Service is speedy, and everything is as expected, it always remains the same; from the coffee to the croissants, the floors to the frappes. But, is uniformity and speed really so great? I mean speed means less care and handling from the barista (wave goodbye to latte art, and special extras), and sameness can be boring.
When I saw that Caffé Nero has been erected on North Lane in Headingley, I first thought that it was great that the vacant space had been filled. I then considered that it could be a great place for students to meet and study. It is an incredibly convenient location, it is a huge space and the decor looks fab.
But then I started to wonder what negative impacts such an establishment could have on the area. For example, will Caffe Nero pull customers away from the independent cafes? Headingley already has at least 12 cafes, including fantastic independents such as ‘It’s all about the Bean’, ‘Bowery’ and ‘Sebbys Deli’. With all these cafes surely the coffee and cake needs of the population are met, and another huge chain is not needed?
What do you think? Do you think the independent cafes will survive when Caffe Nero opens? What else do you think should have been erected in the vacant space?
We look forward to hearing from you!
Leeds Food Guide