TRADERS have united in a bid to see off competition from a coffee giant.

Restaurants and cafes in Clarkston want East Renfrewshire Council to turn down a planning application from Costa Coffee.

They say there are already 19 eateries between Clarkston Toll and Sheddens roundabout - and there is no room for any more.

Jim Watt, owner of Cafe Roma, is leading the charge to try to see off Costa.

Mr Watt said: “People could lose their jobs due to this.

“We have 19 restaurants and cafes in very close proximity to one another and we all buy produce from one another and support one another.

“There is no room for another cafe here. The thought of the impact this could have is shocking.”

Mr Watt is asking local businesses and local residents to back the No To Costa campaign.

He has set up a Facebook page and Twitter account and is having posters printed to draw attention to the potential new Costa cafe.

Phillipa Mayes, of nearby Dandy’s Deli, and Justin Valmassoi, owner of restaurant, Something, are also backing the campaign against Costa.

Ms Mayes added: “What it seems like Costa does is to find local communities with small businesses where they will be able to take their customers.

“We sell a lot of coffee in Dandy’s Deli so of course we’re worried.

“The great thing about Clarkston is that all the local businesses support one another - we buy our supplies from the shops round about here. I doubt Costa will do this.

“It keeps money in the local community and means we are supporting our neighbours.”

Mr Watt says he also feels let down by Clarkston BID, the local Business Improvement District, which he said will not support the campaign against Costa.

Businesses pay a percentage of their rates to be members of the BID, with Mr Watt saying he has paid £4500 to the scheme in the past five years.

He added: “Costa will impact on existing businesses - it will not be good for the area.

“The BID should be concentrating on bringing local people to the area and supporting the businesses that already here. That’s what we pay our fees for.

“We know that other communities have seen off Costa and we will not allow them to open up here.”

An East Renfrewshire Council spokeswoman said: “A planning application has been submitted for a Costa Coffee. It is pending consideration and a decision will be made in 2016.”

Andy Dunlop,East Renfrewshire BID manager, said: "As a BID, we are happy to see a premises that has previously lain vacant for a number of years potentially being let to a national business.

"However, the last thing we would wish is for that to have a negative impact on any of our current, local businesses and we will do anything we can to assist our members to strive during what may be tough times of competition.

"If the plan goes ahead, we will welcome Costa as a new BID member and hope that this is the start of a newly regenerated interest in businesses coming back to Clarkston allowing it to reach the potential that all local businesses and residents know it has."

A Costa spokeswoman said: "We’re looking to bring a new Costa to Clarkston to widen customer choice and contribute to the town centre community.

"Investing in the High Street will bring 10 to 12 full time jobs to the local area and, from our experience, have a positive effect on footfall in the town centre.

“While there has been some debate locally on the proposal, the plans offer a positive and deliverable way to bring investment into the High Street and add to the overall choice available in Clarkston.

“We have worked hard to develop our plans for Clarkston and we look forward to East Renfrewshire Council’s decision in the coming weeks.”