The British tea-drinking tradition that has made Bettys famous worldwide is facing competition from the States.

Service off to a tea: Jacqueline Enwright, of Bettys

Agnes and John Kennedy: Bettys has image

Linda McAleer: welcomes new caf

American store Coffee Republic is opening only its fifth UK espresso bar outside London in York.

And the venue in Market Street is only a short distance from the bastion of British culture.

The distinctive white pinnies and black uniforms of the tearoom waitresses are facing competition from the Have A Nice Day attitude from the other side of the Atlantic.

Coffee Republic offers the people of York "a real option to experience a young cosmopolitan coffee brand and an alternative choice to the traditional cup of tea."

But York's visitors expect the worldwide reputation that the caf in St Helen's Square has built up will take a lot to beat.

More than 60 years of the highest standards of service, the Swiss know-how of its alpine founder and the famous Yorkshire hospitality have made Bettys one of North Yorkshire's most loved tourist attractions.

Julie Kirby, from Leeds, said the caf's fame was so widespread that her Dutch partner Ierwin Van Der Velden had heard of it at home.

She said: "People come to Bettys because it's famous.

"I mean it isn't as though there is a lack of choice in York. We could have gone to other cafes, but we chose this one because of its tradition and because it is so typically British. The tourists will continue to go the Bettys."

Agnes Kennedy, visiting from Edinburgh with her husband John, said: "We like variety and we wouldn't go to the same place all the time, but we certainly wouldn't like this sort of place to disappear.

"Bettys has a great image and there is still a huge demand for this sort of place.

"The food is good, the service is good, its got great views and people come back because of that.

"When we visit places we look for the special places there that local people recommend. Bettys is very special and I don't think it will lose its popularity."

Linda McAleer, from Newcastle, welcomed the news that Coffee Republic was opening the new store. She said: "Absolutely - it is great news. I go to America quite a lot, and there are so many bars and cafs there that are doing a great business. There's a lot of choice and that brings more people in.

"It's good to have places like Bettys, but it's also good to be able to have a choice of places to go to.

"Bettys is well established and people are keen to go there, but it's good news that more places are opening."

Coffee Republic is expected to open on April 17.

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