The New Economics Foundation has produced a report called “Clone Town Britain” which warns of the dangers of identikit urban environments caused by the spread of nationwide chain stores and eateries.
It calls for local authorities to be given the option to ban formula restaurants, as Californian town Carmel has already done.
However, the signs are that independent snack bars, cafés and greasy spoons are hanging on in Britain’s high streets despite the proliferation of branded food chains. The report claims that a backlash is brewing against chain retailers with independent producers and outlets becoming more fashionable. In Guildford, an independent sandwich shop is doing a roaring lunchtime trade despite competition from nearby branches of Caffé Nero and Starbucks.
The Foundation also blames worldwide obesity and intensive farming on the “exponential rise in the sales of fast food”.
Financial Times 28/8/04 page 3
The Daily Telegraph 28/8/04 page 12
The Times 28/8/04 page 13, page 29 (Editorial)
