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The Coffee Shop, Wetherby Road

From the Evening Press, first published Saturday 26th Apr 2003.

WE were in need of refreshment. Having regularly driven past this venue in Acomb, now was the time to step inside.

The Coffee Shop is attached to The Gables, in the centre of Acomb. It opens from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday. On entry we were immediately taken by the fresh flowers on each table.

Spotting a framed cross-stitch sampler next to the servery which read: "Thank you for your custom which supports our fundraising endeavours", we assumed this must be a charity venture. A look at the price list confirmed this belief.

There is good wheelchair access and assistants who were more than willing to carry trays when necessary. Ages of customers ranged from those in prams to the more mature.

The menu is one of the simplest we have encountered. And the prices! Coffee costs 35p per cup (40p in a mug), tea 30p/35p and hot chocolate 35p/40p.

Soup was sold by the mug and cold drinks were also on offer.

Ann sought a mug of weak black coffee and there was no difficulty in controlling how this should be served. Tempted by a display of scones (45p each), we decided the cheese variety with Flora would go down well. Apart from allowing me to sample a portion, Ann managed to despatch both food and drink in short order.

I preferred a fruit scone with butter. Can't say whether they were baked on the premises but they were fresh and not too crumbly. A cup of tea was my choice of drink.

Customers came and went continuously and yet there was no feeling of being rushed. Throughout our visit there were vacant seats.

Although the staff were quick to give tables a wipe, everyone within our view observed the request to place dirty crockery on a convenient trolley.

This is what it claims to be - a coffee shop, so don't visit expecting a hearty meal. But for what it is, full marks. It provided good value and is a nice little earner for a charity!

Updated: 08:56 Saturday, April 26, 2003

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