Readers have been reacting to news that coffee chain Starbucks could soon be arriving in Abingdon market place.

The chain has submitted a planning application to change the fascia of the former M&Co ladies’ fashion store and the plans will now be considered by Vale of White Horse District Council.

The American company, the largest coffee house chain in the world, will be entering a competitive market, as there is already a branch of Costa on the corner of the market place and Bury Street precinct.

But that is not the only competition nearby.

Other coffee shops include a number of independents - Java, R&R and the Missing Bean, which recently opened in a former bank building a short distance away in Stert Street.

Throwing Buns cafe is situated opposite the market place next to the town’s museum and Coffee Aroma is based in High Street.

There are also a number of eateries in Bath Street including The Lounge Cafe.

Staff at Missing Bean say they have enjoyed a warm welcome from residents since they opened and were aware that there would be lots of competition.

The Abingdon Blog which first reported the Starbucks application said some building work was now taking place at the rear of the M&Co unit.

Some readers of the blog said there were already enough cafes in the market place while others commented that there were also enough hairdressers in the town.

Others commented that there were also lots of charity shops.

OXFORD MAIL READER: “Another coffee shop?

“For crying out loud, is this another way to try and entice shoppers back to the ghost town of Abingdon?”

OXFORD MAIL READER: “Excellent, its good to have some variety.

“That’s enough coffee shops for the coffee-addicted non alcoholics to do a Coffee crawl around Abingdon now.

“Ultimately the council is to blame for its proactive hatred of road users and complete lack of encouragement of people into the town centre.

“It’s why you see people leaving Abingdon in droves for better towns like Didcot and Oxford.”

NEIL PARKER: “Oh good, more overpriced drinks.”

NEIL MACGREGOR: “Councils have no control over which businesses rent premises.”

OXFORD MAIL READER: “But their actions (or lack of) can stimulate or reduce demand for decent shops.”

OXFORD MAIL READER: “Shame there aren’t any shops to look round after having a coffee!

“Do we really need another coffee shop?

“Let the smaller individual outlets continue and keep Starbucks etc out of town.

“It’s awful stuff anyway and just causes more litter.

“Vote with your feet people and don’t use it.”

KIMBERLEY HERMON: “Too many coffee shops, too many charity shops, too many takeaways!

“Too many hairdressers.

“Bring something ‘different’ yet ‘needed’ to our town.

“We only really need one of everything.

“Not a dozen of one thing.

“We lack enough dentists who take on NHS.

“Something like Woolworths that did a bit of everything would be good.”

PAUL MESSENGER: “Yes we definitely do not need a Starbucks!

“ Not great coffee anyway - we do have some good independent coffee shops.”

ANDREW THOMAS: “I’m still waiting for John Lane’s to return to the town.”

SHARON BLUNSDON: “Bicester is coffee shops and charity shops.”

DIANA DORE: “Why don’t we get shops like Poundstretcher and men’s /ladies clothing?”

JACK MACCA: “It’s the worst town centre in England.”

KAREN WHITE: “If we had a fast food (restaurant) in town - a Wendy’s - it would be good.

’It’s far better than McDonald’s.”

Starbucks had a cafe in Cornmarket Street in Oxford but it closed during the coronavirus pandemic and has not yet reopened. It also has branches in north Oxford and there is a Starbucks drive-thru in Bicester. The drive-thru opened at Bicester Services near Bicester Village in October, creating 10 new jobs.