WHEN a venue is refurbished or is newly opened we like to give it time to settle down before making a visit.

After months of inconvenience to both customers and staff, the Tesco caf has re-opened on a new upper floor.

Accessed either by a moving ramp or lift, trolleys can be secured in a row of lockable cabinets.

The caf remains self-service. Some tables overlook the car park, other the entrance foyer. There are a number of comfortable low seats and tables, ideal if you are just having a drink rather than using a knife and fork.

The menu is well displayed at the servery. Pre-packed sandwiches and cold drinks jostle for attention with breakfast cereals and cakes.

Although a cooked breakfast is priced at £2.99 you can effectively create your own combination by adding to or subtracting from the usual range of items.

We noted chilli con carne (£3.99), beef lasagne (£3.49) and Cornish pasties (£1.19) among the hot dishes.

Ann selected a breakfast bap with chips, and a pecan plait. For me, it was soup with a roll and a giant sausage roll and chips. Quite how the bill came to £4.87, I couldn't work out because not all the items were visibly priced.

The servery staff were very helpful, making sure our choices were hot. They were also happy to debate whether it was Scotch Broth I was getting or vegetable soup.

Although a dispenser provided a variety of cold drinks, there was no provision for plain water. It felt as if I was the first person to have asked for this essential, because it had to be specially brought from behind the scenes.

Now armed with food and cutlery, where to sit? Few tables were occupied but we had to search for one not littered with used crockery. Not a good first impression. It must have been a full 15 minutes before anyone appeared to clear the tables.

We thought the caf was attractively designed with tables well spaced allowing easy wheelchair access.

A quick cuppa after a strenuous shop should not add more than a pound to you bill, but for a full meal, we have eaten better elsewhere.

Updated: 16:29 Friday, April 16, 2004