THE Friends of the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton may lose their popular coffee shop as part of a massive revamp of the hospital site.

The main catering area will serve coffee and tea, taking over the service from volunteers.

The Friends say their shop will in future be limited to items such as newspapers and sweets.

South Tees NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, says the aim is to avoid duplication of services and talks are ongoing to specify the Friends' role.

A Friends volunteer said: "Instead of our people providing tea and coffee, the service will be transferred to catering staff who will be paid to serve it. We will just be selling papers and sweets."

The volunteer, who did not wish to be named, said the shop made £108 in just two hours recently. "And that money goes to hospital funds," he said. "In all, we ended up making £20,000 last year. We have been doing good business.

"Customers do not like this new arrangement as they use the coffee shop as a place to chat and see people. It can be a lifeline for some, but now they will have to go to the general catering area for a drink.

"It is a real shame, a disgrace. This facility has served the Friarage well for many years."

A spokesman for the trust said: "As part of the Friarage redevelopment, we are going to relocate the Friends' shop. They will be next door to a new main entrance and a new staff and visitor dining room and coffee shop.

"We are still talking to the group about the changes and what they will be able to provide. But as things stand, there would be duplication of services.

"We are really grateful for all the Friends' help and support and things are staying as they are for the moment. We want to help the Friends as much as possible in their future role within the hospital."