THE Spurriergate Centre, the 11-year-old Christian-inspired eating and meeting place in the redundant 12th century St Michael's Church, York, suggests that the city's moneychangers should revisit the temple to learn a few lessons.

Operations manager Simon Watterson and the paid and voluntary staff of 40 now cater for more than 2,500 people a week, serving up good food, along with, if called upon, pastoral care of customers. Now they are pitching to become the Small Business of the Year.

Last May the centre completed a £70,000 redevelopment to create an extra shop and eating area called The Cloisters, with offices re-sited in the building next door. The following month a new managing director, Colin Hockridge, was appointed to take the venture into the 21st century.