A row has broken out between traders and a trust which wants to open a coffee shop in a village.

Traders in Cross Hills fear plans by the Malachi Trust to sell sandwiches from empty shop premises on Main Street.

Owners of sandwich shops and bakeries in the village worry that because the proposed shop would be run voluntarily it could undercut their prices and take away trade.

The Trust wants to convert the empty premises - previously occupied by Greenwood's furniture store - into a meeting place for local youngsters. The youth scheme would be finan-ced by the sale of snacks, putting it into direct competition with The Granary and The Village Baker next door.

A Village Baker spokesman says: "There has to be something for the youngsters to do, so in that respect it is a good idea. But from a trade point of view this could hit us hard."

Peter Whitaker, chairman of South Craven Chamber of Trade and Commerce, adds: "My main concern is that they are going to use empty premises which aren't licensed to sell food. I am also very concerned about food hygiene in such a shop and about the level of food training they will have."

The Malachi Trust has been set up by a group of friends who want to provide somewhere for children to meet in the evening. He says: "We have discussed the idea with members of the local community, church members, Social Serv-ices and community police officers, and everyone has acknowledged a definite need for something like this. We have listened to the traders, and though I can sympathise with their concerns we need financial backing to do this."

On the question of hygiene, he adds: "We haven't just fallen out of a banana tree. There are already people who are qualified in hygiene."

The Trust has applied for planning permission to serve food.

areas and we would welcome people to inspect the premises.'

Mr Thompson says that if the scheme does get off the ground he would welcome a discussion with local traders.

The trust is currently negotiating with the Co-op which owns the premises. It has also applied for planning permission to serve food.

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