COFFEE chain Costa has confirmed it will be opening up in Malvern town centre in the middle of next month.

The new coffee shop, which the firm says will create eight to 10 new jobs, will open in the unit occupied by Superdrug until it closed down in July last year.

But the owner of one town centre cafe says that competition from the national chain may mean closure for existing businesses.

Sheila Swarbrick, of Courtyard Coffee House, off Belle Vue Terrace, said: “They say it will bring jobs, but I think it will have the opposite effect.

“There are about 35 coffee shops and cafes within a five-mile radius and at least six in that one stretch from the traffic lights to the top of Church Street. I’m not the only one who thinks that there are enough coffee shops already.”

Anna Brook of Great Malvern Association of Traders said: “The reaction is mixed. Naturally, some cafe owners are worried about the competition, but many don’t think that they’re serving the same market as Costa.

“Lots of people will be pleased that an empty unit is being filled, especially seeing the disgraceful state it was left in by Superdrug. I think that Costa is making a vote of confidence in the town centre.”

A Costa spokesman said: “We appreciate that the opening of a branded store can be a highly emotive issue for some people. However, we honestly do not think that any of the traders in Great Malvern should see Costa as a threat.

“Our offering is very different to the local independent coffee shops and bakeries and believe that people can and will use both, depending on their coffee needs – something that we have seen in the other towns in which we operate.

“It's important for people to remember during these difficult times that we represent a success story for British business. We strongly believe that Costa has a huge role to play in local investment and employment in Great Malvern and other communities up and down the country.”