Old buildings, it seems, matter more than the people who use them. If they're disabled people or mums with prams, that is.

When fashion chain Mango opened its new store in Coney Street last month it brought a touch of Spanish style to the centre of York.

But it also prompted a rush of letters to the Evening Press from angry disabled shoppers - not to mention mums with prams and pushchairs - who pointed out they simply couldn't get into the shop.

Although there is a level access from the street into a foyer, to reach any of the shopping floors you either have to go down a set of steps - or up one.

Now members of the York Coalition of Disabled Shoppers have served a yellow card on the Barcelona-based store chain - reminding them that under the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act it has a duty to make its services accessible to people with disabilities.

One member of the group, wheelchair-bound Steven Durham, said: "This makes us feel like Tiny Tim from Charles Dickens. It is total social exclusion."

It's not Mango that disabled people have directed the full weight of their anger against, though - but City of York Council. The council, apparently, refused to let Mango install lifts in the store which would have whisked people with prams or wheelchairs from floor to floor. The reason? The Coney Street building in which the shop is based is listed.

Immediately after serving a yellow card on Mango, protesters marched up to St Leonard's Place and served one on Cliff Carruthers, the city council's head of development control, as well.

"We think you've let the people of York down: not just disabled people, but mothers with pushchairs too," protest organiser Lynn Jeffries told him.

"What is this saying to people about respect for the needs of individuals?"

Speaking from Barcelona, Mango spokeswoman Deli Tuag confirmed they had initially wanted to install lifts.

The city council had refused permission, she said - leading to a four-month delay in opening because of the need to change the plans.

"We are a little bit upset," she said. "We asked the council, and they never let us do these things, because the building is a historical asset.

"We're not very happy, because it is not very good for selling or for merchandising."

Mr Carruthers stressed today the council had a duty to protect listed buildings in the city, as well as to look out for the interests of its people.

"There has to be a balance struck sometimes," he said.

Installing lifts inside the store would have meant substantial changes which would have altered the internal space of the building, he told the Evening Press.

Ramps would have been impractical because to be effective they would have had to be so gradual they would have been too long for the inside of the building.

Mango said today they were prepared to close the shop and make changes to the interior of the store to make it accessible to disabled people if the council were to give permission. "But the council will have to pay," said Ms Tuag.

Mr Carruthers said the council would be willing to talk to Mango.

But would it pay compensation if extra work were needed?

"I cannot comment on that," Mr Carruthers said.

If you have any queries about any consumer matter you can contact York Trading Standards by telephone on 01904 551562, or call at 9 St Leonard's Place or email us at trading.standards@york.gov.uk