I WONDER if other people feel as I do about the change made to the Brown's department store tea room in York.

This used to be an oasis of calm, cosy with an old worlde ambience that is now sadly lacking in modern cafs.

Since, no doubt, a very expensive refurbishment, the atmosphere has been shattered and now we have a brash, bright, noisy, uncomfortable eating area. There is no room for wheelchairs or walking frames, not even to store the chairs as the tables are designed in such a way that chairs do not tuck under them.

As always the coffee and food is as good as ever, the staff are still friendly, helpful and efficient.

York has so many caf bars, why did we have to lose this little gem?

Wendy Cuthbert,

Wansbeck,

York.

Updated: 11:46 Saturday, September 07, 2002