AN alleged incident at Starbucks which sparked a Welsh language row did not actually happen, an internal investigation has found.

Starbucks in Aberystwyth was criticised after a well-known opera singer took to Twitter alleging that a customer was told to “speak English or get out” after trying to order in Welsh.

Ceredigion-born Welsh classical soprano Gwawr Edwards tweeted the branch directly on Twitter to complain, prompting Welsh language campaigners to say that the comments were “serious”, “disgusting” and “insulting”, and social media users calling for a boycott.

An internal branch investigation was launched into the allegations, while an investigation was also launched by Starbucks’ UK head office.

While the investigation by the company itself has yet to be completed, the franchisee of the branch at the top of Great Darkgate Street, Acky Khan, has told the Cambrian News that an investigation by himself and branch manager Steve Simpson had found that no such incident took place in the store.

Mr Khan said: “When we heard about the allegation we took it very seriously, but we did think that something was not right about it.

“We employ five or six out of 13 staff who are Welsh speakers and are committed to being a part of the community.

“If something like that would have happened we’d have known.

“We have spent time investigating whether this had happened, but we are certain that it didn’t.

“If we had done something wrong, we’d stand up and say so.

“Staff in the store are distraught over the allegations and the comments they are receiving because of it.”