A Taxing debate

[ripple11]

  It's possible that away from the general outrage, the government looks at the VAT, PAYE, NIC and business rates that Starbucks generate and figure it's not in their interests to make things difficult.  Taxation of corporations is a balancing act for Governments. 

I've heard them make this point....but if you closed their coffee shop, almost certainly another operator (knowing a coffee/cafe operation works at this location) would take over, paying a similar amount of VAT, PAYE,NIC, business rates etc?....and probably some corporation tax ;-)

[DungBeetle]

Quite possibly - but I guess Starbucks drove the coffee culture (or Seattle Coffee Company as they were then).  Don't remember there being much interest in it before they arrived, so it's possible they just do it better than other companies.

[arbboy]

It's a tough one because the indepenent bakers/coffee shops in my town has closed down since Starbucks turned up as the middle england house wifes love an expensive brand over spending locally and with a company who pay corporation tax so it definitely does hurt other businesses who would pay corporation tax imo.