Crazy for Coffee

Within the past ten years coffee shops have been gradually opening throughout UK towns and cities. In London, the streets are littered with coffee houses such as ‘Costa’, ‘Nero’ and ‘Starbucks’. You are never far away from a ‘Starbucks’ in London and according to their website are only ever a ‘five minute walk away’ from your nearest outlet.

In attempt to discover whether or not ‘Starbucks’ is taking over London and Londoners drink too much coffee, ten people were asked about their views.

Standing inside Starbucks, armed with a tall, skinny latte the first response to the question was from Norman Josephs, a retired lecturer from Colchester. He said “people work long hours in London and for them coffee is a must”.

The coffee house is very popular and Barbara Shepherd, 54 from Slough says she goes “to Starbucks everyday. Their coffee is the best and good for them that they are everywhere”.

Glen Williams, 24 and a policeman from New Zealand agreed that “Starbucks is taking over London. Everyone here drinks so much coffee,” and another non- Londoner Sara Cox, 36 and a PA from Birmingham said that “Starbucks has a relaxed atmosphere. I go there three or four times a week. Coffee seems to be part of our British culture”

Helen Heyward a 24 year old student from Fulham loves Starbucks and says she has “a coffee everyday. I’m glad they are everywhere” she also said “that Londoners need caffeine to survive”.

Many Londoners enjoy a cup of coffee and for them it’s a part of everyday life. For Simon Collins a 22 year old customer advisor from Hammersmith it’s an enjoyable part of life and he said “that I come here with friends but I think the coffee is over priced. Starbucks does appear to be taking over London”.

Emma Cox, 41, an internal sales representative from Seven Sisters and regular at Starbucks said that “I have to have a least one latte in the morning and one later on. I can’t function without it” and Rachel Urqhart a 37 year old call centre agent from Fulham also stated that “I used to hate coffee but since moving here I drink it all the time. I think we probably do drink too much ”.

Two friends Kevin Ross 22 and Ben Turland 26, both students from Hackney said “they love coffee with extra shots”. “It’s a London thing” says Ben. ‘They are everywhere” says Kevin.

The views of ten people neither proves or dispels the theory that Starbucks is taking over London. The majority agreed that Londoners do drink a lot of coffee but didn’t seem unduly concerned. It looks as though coffee is here to stay!