Burtons jumps on the net cafe bandwagon

Burtons has joined the internet cafe business using the combined skills of its Debenhams catering operation and its computer franchise holder Silica.

The first Intercafe is three minutes' walk from London's Oxford Circus.

The outlet sells internet training, coffee, computer products, and lets the fashion retailer show off its 800-page web site.

Silica staff will run the internet training on the outlet's nine demo PCs. The cafe will hold some computer products in stock, but major purchases will either be shipped direct to the customer's home or to the cafe for next day collection. Internet surfers can also order via Silica's home page which is linked to the Burton's web site via it's Debenhams section.

Bob Falconer, concessions director of Debenhams, was sceptical that standalone internet cafes could make money: "We are a professional caterer and there's more to running a cafe than putting out a few cakes and cups of coffee." He said the cafe concept could be rolled out alongside the 17 Silica concessions with Debenhams stores.