STAFF of a coffee shop in Thornbury have pledged to win over critics as it opened its doors to the public yesterday.

The new Costa coffee shop on Thornbury High Street, which officially opened yesterday in the building formally used by Co-operative building society, employs a team of eight from the area, with management having come from larger stores in the South Gloucestershire and Bristol region.

The store was officially opened on Wednesday by Thornbury deputy mayor Cllr Bob Griffin, with the shop fully open for business yesterday.

“The opening of Costa was smashing,” said Cllr Griffin.

“They are very nice people there and the store is lovely, very comfortable and cosy.

“Thornbury is a very coffee conscious town and I think it is going to do very well.”

But despite the successful opening, the original application for the store was met with mixed reaction, with many in the town fearing for the future of independent shops on the high street, with Costa the latest in a string of major chains coming to the town, including Dominoes and Prezzo.

The store’s barista maestro Lynsey Wyborn said: “I know the area well, and can appreciate and understand the attitude Thornbury has to another coffee shop, but I also know the town would be prepared to change its mind when we show our true colours.

“We are a small team and we want to create a family environment rather than a big chain coming in with different faces each time you come through the door.

“We are very passionate to making sure we offer the environment and customer experience of a high enough standard that people have come to expect from other businesses in the town.”

Store manager Kane Gilchrist added: “We are committed to the community, something Costa tries to do store-to-store.

“The plan is to link up with community groups within the town and get involved with events like litter picking and charity fundraising.”

Costa is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 7.30pm, Saturday 7am to 7pm and Sunday 8am to 6pm.