THE first time I visited a branch of Starbucks, a notice offered a ten pence discount if you brought your own mug. As a Scot living in Yorkshire, this quirky offer appealed.

Hard as we looked, this discount doesn’t appear to be available now.

There are a number of York branches of this international group. The menu is standard. What varies is the capability of staff and the ambience.

In the Coppergate branch there is limited accommodation downstairs. If you choose to go aloft, you will have to carry your tray up a steepish staircase.

The upper room has both standard-height tables and chairs, but there are also settees, stools and low tables.

Predictably, there is an extensive range of coffees, teas and hot chocolates served in various sized mugs or lidded cartons for the take-away service. There are a number of additions for drinks such as syrup (30p) or soya (35p). We noticed seasonal offers of dark cherry mocha and gingerbread latte.

The queue at the servery moved reasonably quickly past the display of pre-packed sandwiches and sweet items. Everything was dual priced depending on whether it was to be eaten on the premises or taken out.

After selecting and paying for the order, drinks requirements are passed to another assistant whose output is controlled by the speed of the coffee machine. In other words, a bit of a bottle neck.

We both selected a sandwich. For Ann, prawn mayonnaise (£3.20) which was moist with sufficient filling to please her. Being in a venturesome mood, she decided to try a toffee nut latte (we couldn’t see the price advertised).

The pieces of toffee and nuts were appreciated, although Ann would have preferred a teaspoon to tackle the froth. A wooden stirrer is not the most suitable of tools!

My oak-smoked salmon and rocket sandwich (£3.40) was also very good. If you like strong black coffee you would be satisfied here, but for me it was just too bitter.

After a week of Christmas fare we resisted the array of cakes and tray bakes which included cranberry and orange muffins, marshmallow twizzles and very berry scones.

We perched on stools overlooking pedestrian activity in Coppergate and watched the world go by. Not once did we see any of the tables being cleared and a brief trip upstairs revealed an equal array of debris being moved aside by customers.

There is a toilet for the disabled on the ground floor; otherwise they are upstairs.