Jon Barrenechea, Starbucks Protestor: The Interview
It’s not often in these selfish modern times that we hear of people standing up for their communities, so when we covered the Brighton protests against Starbucks recently we were intrigued to find out more about the people behind them. Meet Jon Barrenechea, manager of Brighton’s marvellous Duke of York’s Picturehouse and the man behind the weekly Starbucks protests and accompanying Facebook group.
How did you first hear that Starbucks were planning a sixth Brighton & Hove branch and what was your reaction?
I found out by walking past the closed down Sussex Stationers and looking at the planning notice on the window. It hit me that this was completely wrong, that Starbucks didn’t belong on this street. I am not an activist, but this compelled me to do something.
What’s the particular objection to the St James Street branch? Do you have a problem with Starbucks in general?
St James Street is already well served by sixteen other coffee shops. All of them independently, locally owned. Starbucks’ presence will hurt those businesses, and tips the balance of the street over and hurts the variety of retail options. We need high streets that offer more than coffee shops. I think Starbucks have many questionable practices, including their lack of support for Fairtrade and Organic products, their union-busting, their unfair trading policies (like poaching leases and operating at a loss in order to put others out of business), but that’s not what this is about. This is about protecting our street.
Many people have realised voting with their feet really does make a difference - we can all choose where to spend our money after all - but what pushed you to get involved ‘on the ground’, protesting on the streets of Brighton?
Because although consumer democracy is important, and we hope people will choose the much better independent coffee shops on St James Street, often people make ill-informed choices because they don’t have enough information. That’s why we’re there every week, to give them the information they need to make the right choice. Also, because of Starbucks’ unethical practices, like operating without planning permission, they are effectively reducing our ability to make these choices.
How is the protest going? Do people come every Saturday?
It’s going great – we get about 20-30 people week. But more importantly, we are spreading the word about Starbucks’ illegal trading, the choices available on St James Street, and the importance of not letting this corporate giant bully our neighbourhood.
What is the reaction of passersby?
Mostly positive. We’ve been gathering hundreds of signatures, handing out thousands of leaflets, we get cars honking and cyclists ringing in support, and it’s a way of having the community express their feelings about their street. Occasionally we get a negative reaction, but it’s rare.
And how are Starbucks dealing with it?
They are doing everything to ingratiate themselves with the neighborhood. They are handing out free coffee, and trying to organize fundraising events to benefit Pride. This is a cynical approach, and ignores the thousands of people that have expressed that they want them gone.
How long are you planning on protesting?
As long as we need to.
Has the Facebook group helped to raise awareness too?
It has been the main engine for communicating with people, and galvanizing everyone to write in to the council and has also helped us get national and local press interest. We have over 1800 members.
How have local coffee shops been affected by Starbucks moving in?
We have had reports of rents rising already, because when a chain like Starbucks move into an area they pay above market rates and inflate the value of rents in the area. This hurts local businesses, not just coffee shops.
Where should people be getting their coffee in Brighton?
We are lucky in that we have dozens of fantastic independent coffee shops. My favorite place for coffee is the Red Roaster, otherwise I buy my beans from Infinity Foods (Cafe Nica) and make coffee at home.
Are any other chains threatening Brighton at the moment? If so, how do you feel about that?
Tesco have plans for opening on London Road, and this presents a threat to our Open Market. Again, they are trying to move into an area so well served by supermarkets, local shops and the market. Their only interest is in market share, even at the expense of entire neighbourhoods.
What do you think makes Brighton so unique?
So many things, like independent local businesses, creative people, great architecture, individuals, the music and film scene, the combination of beach and country, sophisticated city and old-fashioned seaside town. It’s a relaxed yet very active place, laid back but restless. I love it here.
What would you recommend as a perfect day out in Brighton to an outsider?
Start off with a walk through the lovely North Lane, browsing through all the quirky little shops, off-the-boat fish lunch at The Regency, freshly roasted coffee at the Red Roaster, homemade ice cream at Marrocco’s, watch the sun go down on the beach and a movie at Britain’s oldest cinema (Duke of York’s) with a glass of wine on a comfy sofa.
Feeling inspired to join in? Weekly demonstrations continue outside Starbucks every Saturday from 11am. If you can’t get down there but want to show support, the group need help printing flyers - donations are welcome via Paypal or given in person at the Saturday protests - check out the Facebook page for more info.
[tags] TrustedPlaces, Starbucks, coffee, debate, protest, activist, coffee, interview, Brighton, Hove, politics, globalisation, multinational, neighbourhood, community [/tags]
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:16 pm
My opinion is that people who start these kind of campaigns think they’re more important than everyone else in the community. If you’re not happy with the planning applications being granted, use your vote to elect someone in line with your beliefs. These planning applications are granted by local government and you have say on this. It is not possible to please everyone.
In the long run, this interfering of the market and protectionism of local business stops them from innovating and improving. We’ve seen a renaissance in local businesses in the last year, but they should compete on their merits, not a misplaced sense that big business is out to destroy.
I just hope that all you people campaigning have aligned all your ethical beliefs and only shop organic, local, never use carrier bags, only cycle etc.. otherwise your self righteousness and smug attitude is rather unwarranted.
July 25th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
I’m not sure that people consider themselves more important than others. More likely that they are concerned enough about an issue, to make a specific point, without having to rely on the political process.
There are fantastically successful local businesses. Some are new, some have been around for decades, but I think you’re spot on in saying that it’s merit that delivers that success. What’s interesting and encouraging is that we see a lot of people who are increasingly passionate about their area and businesses that serve it.
Like you suggest, campaigning for campaigning’s sake is not very productive. People can vote in their local election, but (perhaps more effectively) they can also vote with their feet and wallets.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Unfortunately it’s not just merit that delivers success, it’s also sheer size. Starbucks can afford to offer and pay higher rents, which in turn force rents up for other local businesses, reducing profit margins and putting them out of business. This is nothing to do with how good their product is or how well they serve customers: it’s about corporate power.
The same corporate power allows individual Starbucks stores to operate at a loss for as long as it takes to put local businesses out of business. Again, it’s not even about demand at the local level, it’s about corporate power.
August 7th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Olivers comments fail to take account that planning permission was refused by the local authority. Starbucks have ignored this and continued trading. This is the crux of the argument with Starbucks - nothing more! I live in the area and due to Starbuck’s arrogant action will no longer use any Starbucks chain store.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
[…] to assist the project in the future. You can add your name here. Recent TrustedPlaces interviewee Jon Barrenechea showed us the power of local awareness raising; only by standing up for our rights as citizens and […]
September 14th, 2008 at 1:55 am
I cant help admire someone that puts so much effort into a cause, but its a bit scary when most of the facts quoted are clearly wrong, or at best swerved around, and much seems to stem from a ‘power to the people’ personal cause. Firstly please get one thing right - Starbucks have not done any wrong, illegal, or even debatable in opening their shop while an appeal over planning etc etc is dealt with. They are it seems prepared to take the risk of losing, and therefore after due process having to cut their losses and move out. That gamble is entirely up to them, its not illegal, never has been, probably never will be, and is very common practice when changes in use etc are being submitted or appealed, and legal advisors consider the outcome will be positive. Yes its a gamble, but thats their problem. Bearing all that in mind, hadnt you better look into your own vulnerability over continuing to publically accuse them of illegal acts? - just a point. Secondly, you claim Starbucks trading and employment policies are debatable. I suggest you do some serious research in that direction before making those claims. If you do, you will find the exact opposite. Im not saying they spend twice as much as everyone else on products and wages, but they spend more than most. And please dont mention FairTrade - its the biggest marketing con of the decade. Anti Union? - very sensible - unions have played havoc in the UK. Now the effect on St James’s Street. Well if the large number of Coffee / Cafe outlets (14?) are thriving in St James / Kemptown, one more wont hurt, and a big name will bring in new customers. And as St James’s Street is such a total mess (forget the rose tinted view of little quirky shops and all lovely people) and frequented on a non stop basis by violent yobs, street drunks, drug dealers and the homeless sleeping in shop doorways, the opportunity to have some more big names operating in the street is a god send - they might even bring pressure to bear on the authorities to do something about it, because most traders there at the moment dont make much effort. I would also suggest you come down to earth a bit over how many people support your views. Dont go by having xxxx members on here. People will always click on a ’stand up for the underdog’ request, and reject the ‘vote for Starbucks’ option, its human nature. If I petitioned 1000 people in St James’s Street A: Would you prefer Starbucks to be here, or B: Would you prefer another off licence or a pawn shop, we all know 95% would want Starbucks - in other words petitions and other means of claiming support can be made to prove whatever you want. In any event i suggest much of your support you do have is misguided, and could be doing St James’s Street considerable harm. Starbucks and Tesco could be the catalyst that is needed to start to elevate what at the moment is a area second only to London Road.
September 21st, 2008 at 10:23 am
Quoted:
“Oliver says:
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:16 pm
My opinion is that people who start these kind of campaigns think they’re more important than everyone else in the community. If you’re not happy with the planning applications being granted, use your vote to elect someone in line with your beliefs. These planning applications are granted by local government and you have say on this. It is not possible to please everyone.”
Please pay attention Oliver - PLANNING PERMISSION HAS BEEN REFUSED ON 5 COUNTS, and this is one of the central planks of the campaign. Starbucks are currently appealing these on a “last minute” basis. They have begun with the appeal against refusal of signage etc and will end in November with the appeal against refusal of change of use from A1 to A3.
Please don’t go on about something you know nothing about.
September 21st, 2008 at 10:35 am
Having just read some more, I realise that so many are uninformed.
James is also quite wrong. He has not stood there for 1 to 2 hours every Saturday since May and seen and spoken to the vast majority of passers-by who are against this illegal encroachment. This “96% want Starbucks” is totally spurious and proven to be wrong by virtue of our weekly experience and the very few people who are to be seen in the coffee shop. I have to ask myself why do people defend a TNC who just want to make money and hang the cost? Who have a branch at Guantanamo Bay? Who do not treat their employees well, despite a completely erroneous report in the F.T. Please do not treat Jon or any of us as ignorant people who have not done our research. What do you know about fair trade? Do you know the man who imports Cafe Nica? I do - and he worked with and knows the farmers who produce it - he used to work for Oxfam.
Sorry James, I have called your uninformed bluff. I and others on the campaign are very well informed, and kept in touch by BHCC planning department regularly.
And it is illegal, it’s just that no council can waste public money taking these TNCs to court. They have to wait for due process.
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Absolutely unbelievable! I wouldnt have posted on this page again, but having read your latest efforts i think i will. I refered to you as being self indulgent in an earlier post Louis, but i may now retract that, because many people will think you are not so much self in-dulgent, but in-need (of help). Why are you still trying to convince the public that it is illegal to appeal against planning permission refusals. You know perfectly well IT IS NOT ILLEGAL TO APPEAL AGAINST A PLANNING PERMISSION REFUSAL! IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME - PARTICULARLY WITH SHOPS! You must also know it is NOT ILLEGAL for Messrs Starbucks to continue trading whilst such appeals are being arranged or dealt with, and they have so much time allowed in law to do so. You must also know if Starbucks had done anything wrong, the council would simply issue an enforcement order to stop them trading - its nothing to do with the cost of such action, as you claim. So why dont you and your partners adopt an honest approach, and announce that you simply dont like big companies, are happy for a dirty needle exchange and a 24hr off licence to open in place of Starbucks, or a trendy tarot reading parlour or other trendy outlet if a suitable tenant can be found, and are not concerned that the majority of Kemptown residents ARE FAR MORE concerned about the violent street drunks, abusive beggars and the drug dealers that polute St James’s Street and other parts of Kemptown. Something you prefer to forget in case it draws interest away from your misguided cause? Many would suggest that untill you mail shot every resident of Kemptown and get a clear cut mandate, you have no right to do what you are doing. Incidently im suprised you find many people to chat to while you are holding your ‘demo’ Louis, because most are walking on the otherside of the road, which is hardly suprising after the problems you and the Police had last saturday - yes you are really helping the area arent you. I live in, and own property in Kemptown, was born in Brighton, have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Starbucks (never even been in there), have no wierd agenders, often go in Red Roaster, and simply object to people being misled at the expense of my neighbourhood. Im sorry you missed the drama in St James’s today Louis - five or six local street drunks and their women scarying the living daylights out of everyone around, screaming, shoving, threatening and abusing all and sundry, which very fortunately was broken up by the security man and some staff, from Somerfield. Im sure this was way outside their remit - many thanks.
Find yourself another cause Louis - which every way this one goes, you dont come out of it very well - sorry but its a fact. See you in Red Roaster?
October 14th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Having read all the comments on this site, I thought I would make a comment as the main problem appears to be the way Starbucks show a total disregard for the planning system, and move into A1 classed shops across the Country claiming they can trade as mixed useage (A1 Retail & A3 Cafe’s) as they sell coffee beans, hardly retail but some councils have allowed this to happen.
The reason for my interest is that I live in Worthing and spend a lot of time in Brighton so I am aware of the Starbucks “problem”, however, my daughter opened a coffee shop some 5 years ago in Hertford, after an investment of around £150k (taking a second mortgage on my house) this has been very successful to such an extent that when the shop next door to hers(A1 travel agent) became vacant she applied to extend her business into the shop next door, however, she was turned down by the local planning authority on the grounds that the town would lose an A1 shop frontage and considered that the town needed to retain a fair mix of retail, cafes and bars etc.
After some initial protest we grudingly agreed that the town does need a fair mix to retain it’s individuality or it would look like so many other towns across the UK.
Starbucks were well aware that she had applied for A3 usage for the shop in question, however, they moved into that shop without any planning permission, they did submit a retrospective application but were subsequently turned down, they are now in the appeal process which takes up to one year.
The central planning inspectorate will hear the appeal in a public inquiry early next year, in the mean time Starbucks are open right next door taking business from my daughter.
I am not opposed to competition, but it must be on a level playing field, Starbucks have countless planning appeals across the country and it is no coincedence that they use the Pegasus group based in Bristol near the planning inspectorate to defend them, they show a total disregard for the local council that is elected by local people, they should not be allowed to do that, it’s wrong and it must be stopped or every town in the UK will look exactly the same.