A ROW over a hand-painted sign on the front of one of York's oldest buildings has finally come to an end more than a year after it started.

The Old York Tea Room opened back in February in Our Lady's Row in Goodramgate.

Run by Tony and Thomas Vickers, the pair have transformed what was a former candle shop into an inviting tea room with space for 14 customers on the first floor.

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Tony Vickers under the sign on The Old York Tea RoomTony Vickers under the sign on The Old York Tea Room (Image: Newsquest)

But, as The Press reported back in August last year, the seemingly innocuous sign on the front of the building caused a stir and City of York Council went on to deny a retrospective planning application.

The business took it to an appeal which it has now lost.

On social media the business said: "We have lost our appeal to keep our signage on The Old York Tea Room.

"We will now endeavour to remove the current signage. Should anyone want to take a photo of this beautiful piece of York's history then we suggest you do it soon. We are both very disappointed by the decision and it could not have come at a worse time."

In their report the inspector said: "I have no doubt that the signage has helped increase the presence of the business in the street, and I can see from the amount of support for the proposal that the business, and the sign are much appreciated by passers-by.

"I note the appellant’s contention that previous occupiers have gone out of business after a short period of time…. but, given the popularity of the café, I am unconvinced that alternative signage would have a detrimental effect on its viability."

The Ghost of William Etty - a group formed back in the 1990s to help save York stone pavements from being pulled up in city streets - originally objected to the sign saying it was vandalism of a Grade 1 listed building.

One of the group's founders, Gordon Campbell-Thomas, has been on a mission to get the sign removed, saying the owners put it up without getting planning permission. He stage a protest back in August last year outside the tearoom.

Gordon Campbell-Thomas outside The Old York Tea RoomGordon Campbell-Thomas outside The Old York Tea Room (Image: Supplied)

He said: “I am glad to be vindicated, I did what I did because to ignore the vandalism would be to compound it, I would do it again if the need arose.

"We thank all those that stood up for York. And we encourage any citizen to contact us if they observe any actions that would degrade the history and heritage of our beautiful 2,000 year old city."