PROTESTS took place at more than 50 Starbucks stores yesterday, including outlets in Glasgow, by activists angered at the coffee chain's tax arrangements.

The demonstrations, organised by campaign group UK Uncut, went ahead in several cities including London, Belfast, Liverpool, Sheffield and Portsmouth, even though the US giant announced changes to its tax payments.

Starbucks said it expects to pay around £10 million in UK corporation tax for each of the next two years, following the revelation that it paid just £8.6million in 14 years of trading in Britain – and nothing in the last three years.

One store in Vigo Street, in London's Mayfair, was occupied by protesters around noon and then temporarily closed.

A UK Uncut spokesman said the action had been an "overwhelming success".