AN independent coffee shop is set to open in Flackwell Heath - and the owners say they are not worried about the imminent arrival of global firm Costa in the village.

Grant Foster, a former chairman of Flackwell Heath Residents Association, has gone into business with other villagers and aims to open in the Summer.

The new company will be situated next to Sainsbury’s, on the soon-to-be developed site of the Green Man pub.

The Chapman Lane resident, who has a retail background, said: “I’ve always wanted to do something like this because there’s always been a need for a coffee shop in the village.

“We are aware of Costa coming in... However we are planning to offer different types of product choices as well as some of the standard fare that a coffee shop would offer, so in that sense we would not be in direct competition.

“We will reveal more of that as the date draws near, but suffice to say we are planning to be different.

“Our plan is to provide excellent service, great value for money and locally-prepared fare that will appeal to all age groups within Flackwell Heath and the broader community.

“The coffee shop will be run by local people who care about the village and we very much intend that it will be an affordable and exciting place for the local community to visit."

He said the name of the new venue will be announced in the coming months.

Costa Coffee has begun work fitting out a new cafe in Straight Bit, in the former Classic Beauty salon.

See link below for more details about the Sainsbury's development.