THE catering firm that runs a cafe in Worcester's Guildhall has hit out at controversial proposals to replace it with a high street coffee shop.

No final decisions have yet been made over the Guildhall's future, but Worcester City Council is considering a host of different ideas for making extra money out of the old building - including installing a high street "brand" cafe such as Starbucks of Costa Coffee.

There is, however, already a cafe-cum-restaurant operating in the Guildhall, offering everything from coffee and sandwiches to hot meals and alcoholic drinks.

And now Stuart Matthews, a director of West Midlands firm Plyvine Catering - which has runs the existing cafe for almost a decade - has written to Tory council leader Councillor Simon Geraghty complaining of the city's mismanagement of the current catering arrangements.

Mr Matthews says his restaurant made more than £25,000 profit for the council last year - a return he says is "not too bad" given the tight restrictions placed upon the business. His letter states: "There have been considerable restraints imposed on us by the council regarding signage and other ways of promoting our business - of which the council takes a percentage.

"We have never been allowed a tasteful sign on the railings outside to advertise the restaurant. We compete with many outlets and coffee shops, which all have an advantage in terms of promoting their business on the high street. I can't believe any high street chain would be restrained in such a manner."

Mr Matthews complained about the council's refusal to extend the cafe's opening hours past 4.30pm, and said his suggestions about Sunday opening were "not met with enthusiasm".

He said that the building is "under-used" for the highly-profitable civil functions - also run by Plyvine - for which he has received numerous letters of praise from satisfied customers, ranging from the organisers of the Elgar Celebration Concert to the Queen herself.

Coun Geraghty was unavailable for comment, but his deputy leader Councillor Barry Mackenzie-Williams said it was "right and proper" that the city considers all the options for the Guildhall's future.

"It's not just the restaurant arrangements that are being looked at - it's making better use of the Guildhall in lots of ways," he said. "We're looking at using it for a film set, for example, and as a wedding venue. The Guildhall consultants we're hiring will consider all the evidence for their study.

"If Plyvine wants to submit a proposal for future use, they will consider that too."