A WELL-KNOWN opera star has spoken of her shock after a customer at a major coffee chain branch in Aberystwyth was allegedly told to “speak English or get out” after trying to order in Welsh.

Ceredigion-born Welsh classical soprano Gwawr Edwards took to Twitter to complain after she overheard a staff member at Starbucks at the top of Great Darkgate Street berating a fellow customer for ordering coffee in Welsh.

Gwawr told the Cambrian News that the incident was “shocking”.

“I don’t know the person it happened to personally – otherwise I would have made much more of a fuss and taken it on.

“I hope it was dealt with appropriately.”

Welsh language campaigners have told the Cambrian News that the comments were “serious” and “insulting”.

A Starbucks spokesperson said the company was “looking into” the ­incident.

“We are committed to creating a warm and welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy in our stores and we are concerned to hear of this customer’s experience,” the spokesperson said.

“We have contacted the customer to receive more information.”

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