Cymdeithas yr Iaith members will be picketing Costa Cafe in Aberystwyth,Monday 18/2/08, on their opening day, in protest of the total lack of respect shown by the company to the Welsh language and the local community. A letter from the Town Council asking companies to use bilingual signs was ignored and the County Council's stipulation that only shops should open on the high street has also been ignored.

The picket will commence at 9am and continue until 5pm, with speakers addressing the picketers and the citizens of Aberystwyth at 12.30pm. Among the speakers will be Geraint Edwards, Cymdeithas yr Iaith and Sue Mackenzie Grieve from MG's shop.Sioned Haf, Cymdeithas' National Campaigns Officer said:" Costa have ignored the letter from Aberystwyth Town Council which asked them to provide bilingual signs, showing a total disrespect for our language and culture. Many of the Town's small companies, which earn a fraction of Costa's profits, have responded to this letter and introduced bilingual signs. This case shows the need for a comprehensive Language Act which would compel the large companies to adopt a bilingual service."The protestors also wish to draw attention to the fact that Costa ship in goods to their cafes and do not use local produce. Angharad Clwyd, Chair of Cymdeithas in Ceredigion said::" Almost all of Costa Cafe's produce, including their sandwiches, are prepared outside the area and shipped in daily. This is in complete contrast to the majority of Aber's small cafes, who do buy local goods. The cafe does not support the local economy; therefore the vast majority of the profits leave the area and Wales.Also the company knows very well that sit-in cafes are not allowed on the high street and yet they have created a space with 50 seats, which is totally against the Council's stipulation. This shows and arrogant attitude which is exemplified in the fact that they have stolen one of MG Cafe's coffee lines and even one of their staff.The company boast a Fair Trade ethos on their web site but totally disregard fairness while dealing with the local community where they trade. We call on the people of Aberystwyth and surrounding area to say No to Costa Cafe and support their local Cafes."Background:• The Company have now submitted a planning application for change of use from A1 to a mixture of A1 and A3. A1 is the grade for a shop (that allows the company to sell take away food and to have a limited number of chairs); A3 is the grade for a cafe.• The Council received this application on the 4th of February – the target for processing a planning application is 8 weeks but we understand that the planning department is dealing with a backlog, therefore the process is likely to take longer• The likelihood is that the planning committee will refuse this application according to their stipulation of not allowing cafes to trade on the main street of Aberystwyth, local companies have requested permission in the past and have been turned down). The company are likely then to go to appeal to the Assembly. During this time the company will still be trading as A3• The planning department are wary of giving an Enforcement Notice as Assembly guidelines specify that Enforcement Notices should not be given if there is a possibility that permission will be granted for change of use.