A number of independent coffees shops across Dublin are offering free beverages to customers today (5 September) in protest against the opening of yet another Starbucks outlet in the capital.
According to the Starbucks' website, it currently boasts 50 restaurants in Dublin, with another one expected to open soon on Crampton Quay in the city centre.
Owner of The Clockwork Door on Wellington Quay, Ciaran Hogan, organised the protest initiative following the approval of planning permission by Dublin City Council to the Irish Property Value Fund for the opening of the Crampton Quay outlet.
Hogan explained: "Our goal with the event is just to remind people, 'come to the local places, support the local places.' That's all we're really trying to do. I don't like when everything is just bland and there's no flavour and there's no difference. When you go to a Starbucks in Dublin, it's the same as going to one in London or wherever else."
Venue's offering free beverages as part of Hogan's protest include Foam Coffee of Strand Street from 1-2pm, CoCo Brew in Temple Bar from 8-11am, and Gallagher & Co on D'Olier Street from 1-2pm and then again from 5-7pm.
