A SUDDEN hail storm sent us scurrying. BHS was the nearest doorway so we decided to have a snack while waiting for the weather to improve.

This is a recently-revamped self-service restaurant, now located on the first floor overlooking New Street. There is both escalator and lift access to this level.

Mid-afternoon the place was quiet, but the selection of food was ample for our needs. Sandwiches, cakes, fruit tarts and gateaux were attractively displayed.

We shared a pre-packed bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich (£2.95) in wholemeal bread. Excellent! Ann then moved on to a vanilla slice (£1.65). Finding the cream just too much she transferred some to my already cream-laden plain scone and jam (£1.65). Both were fresh and tasty.

We rounded off the food with a pot of tea (£1.76), drunk from mugs. Milk, both fresh and semi-skimmed, was in sachets. And if you are a cola fan, it comes in three sizes: 95p, £1.15 and £1.35.

I couldn't see any cooked food on display but large pictures of what one could expect festooned one wall. Cumberland sausage (£4.15), traditional fish and chips (£4.35), lasagne (£4.15), moussaka (£4.15) and farmhouse cottage pie (£4.35) to name a few.

The restaurant appears to be totally non-smoking.

When we came to pay, Ann produced her store card. The assistant didn't know what to do. But fortune shone on us. Standing behind us was the store manager. She quickly ensured we got our discount entitlement. In addition she went in search of serviettes and brought them to our table. Leadership demonstrated from the top!

The toilets were very clean but surprisingly let down by a cracked hand basin in the gents. Pity for a place so recently refurbished.

Restaurant:BHS

Address:Coney Street

Reviewed:March 11, 2000