With a value proposition consisting of so-so coffee, dry pastries and little change from a tenner, I was the first to predict failure when Starbucks opened its first store here. Gallon-sized mugs, smoke-free environments and piped music? One year, tops.

Yet, here we are, six years and some 16 stores later, each bursting with grande Caramel Frappucino Light Blended-with-a-dash-of-cinnamon-ordering clients; I'll have to eat my words along with my skinny blueberry muffin.

So I shan’t be making any predictions about the first Spanish franchise of ice cream parlour-cum-coffee shop, Gelosia, that has just opened in Poble Nou. This Italian chain is planning for world domination and, in spite of the close to freezing temperatures outside, will be taking on Starbucks using gelatos and fruit juices.