WORLDWIDE coffee chain Starbucks is planning to open its second store in Bournemouth town centre.

The firm has told the Daily Echo that it has no confirmed plans for the unit at 5-7 Richmond Hill, but a planning application has been submitted to the borough council for a change of use to a restaurant or cafe.

The applicant is Southampton-based 23.5 Degrees Limited, which is a franchise development partner for the chain and already runs the Starbucks at the Triangle.

The firm’s website says that it has developed a close working relationship with Starbucks and has been allocated Hampshire and Dorset as its primary development area.

It also works with Domino’s Pizza, Burger King, Costa Coffee and KFC. The Daily Echo has not yet been able to speak directly with the company.

A spokesman for Starbucks said that the firm looked at potential sites all the time, but the Richmond Hill venue was not currently on its confirmed list of stores that would be opening.

The move is not troubling the independent South Coast Roast coffee shop over the road.

Sophie Kilbey, who works there, said: “I don’t think it’s going to stop our customers coming here as we offer a totally different thing.

“If anything I think it will bring more people into the area.

“All of the people who come here have been coming here since we opened and we’re so different to them.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all. It’s coming up to our first birthday in April and we have done so much better than we thought.”

Anyone wishing to comment on the planning application can do so until April 11.