I would boycott, but

I defy any British coffee shop to equal the hot chocolate I once, memorably, had in a café on the Boulevard St Germain. The Italian one in Padua was luscious too!

Kitty Now hot chocolate's a different matter and I have to confess that in moments of intense irritation eg bus driving off and leaving me at the stop, or the Tyne and Wear Metro suddenly becoming non-operational, I have taken comfort in the nearest coffee shop and indulged myself with hot chocolate.
I think hot chocolate (as made in the shops, all creamy and frothy) is rather like a cocktail - something that I couldn't be bothered to make for myself at home but as an occasional treat is lovely

Good idea, jura, but I only buy a coffee when I'm travelling. I'm like jane and kitty otherwise: why pay through the nose for something I can make better at home?

I tend to agree jane but here we have one at the marina, overlooking the water, with huge comfy sofas that serve -the- very best hot chocolate 'with everything' that one friend and I always use for a get-together.

I just don't get the coffee shops thing at all. It seems a really good way to waste money[grumpy old woman emoticon]

I never use Starbucks as we don't have one in our (university!!)town and I don't drink coffee. When I've had tea in Starbucks it has been such a palaver with bags, sticks, milk, sugar and dirty tables that I avoid them now.

I would most definitely boycott Starbucks, if I used them, I loathe their coffee it's all froth. We have a wonderful independent that we go to that does a sublime flat white. I have to admit that Costa would be the high street outlet of my choice if I were visiting another town, but I know opinion is divided on them. A friend of mine really objected to them coming to her small town/village as the locals felt that their much loved local outlets would suffer.

I agree that Starbucks coffee is undrinkable and as for their large thick mugs I find that of all the chains Cafe Nero serves the best coffee
We should support our independent coffee shops and my local coffee shop does really nice coffee and locally produced fresh cakes but I realise that that is not always the case for everyone.

Bags, I bet if you went to your local friendly café and said something like 'I know I am a fussy so and so, but this is exactly how I like my coffee + instructions and a big smile' - they would do it for you and remember forever. Worth a try.

As said, even more than the taxes, it is the cloning of our towns which i really do hate- and which we should all try to fight imho. Won't be long when a day spent in any town if the UK will provide the same cloned experience. Carluccios for instance are very good, but who wants the only Italian restau on the block, in every town, to be Carluccios- even Carluccio hates it and it gave him a nervous breakdown, as it is exactly what he didn't want!!

Respect your speedy response nanaej

cafemila.co.uk/ forgot to tick the box!

We have a lovely independent cafe in town http://cafemila.co.uk/ which is my cafe of choice!

Re Amazon I have closed my account ..The 'personal is still political' for me!

I am not a big coffee drinker but both Starbucks and Costa are virtually undrinkable and highly overpriced.
Problem is they get in everywhere, so I stick to small cafes and drink tea.

I agree about the ethical issue, but I don't agree about the smaller places doing better coffee – not in my experience. I'm not keen on Costa or Starbucks coffee as it happens, but both are a darn sight better than many I've tried. Nowhere makes it just how I like it and how I have it at home.

Amazon is a big employer in this area and in Swansea, as big warehouses there.
But coffee shops - I try to give my custom to independents.
In NZ, where there is a LOT of independent competition, coffee is cheaper and very good.

granjura Yes, I understand that Costa has not been practising tax avoidance. I just wish that it would practise coffee making – I find their stuff is undrinkable.

Definitely will be boycotting Starbucks- for tax evasion. But also not switch to Costa, etc, although they have paid their fair wack - because I hate the way all UK towns are becoming clones - same chains of Cafés and now restaurants, and of course shops. Much prefer the locally run individual Cafés, with much better coffee, cakes and services.

But absent shopping online with Amazon makes present buying so easy not sure if my principles are strong enough to not be tempted I'm afraid. But I agree, Starbucks (the clue would seem to be in their name) need to be boycotted (shame as I quite like their coffee).