What do you want from a teashop?

[littleteapotandcake]

I'm at the very early stages of looking at taking over a teashop in a small seaside town. I would interested in finding out what you like or don't like when you visit or any advice from anyone who has done/is running a teashop now. TIA

Sandwiches that are not run of the mill.

Also I would think about where prams etc could go - there are a lot of quaint coffee shops near me but I either can't get the pram through the door or have to sit with it awkwardly blocking a walkway so I deliberately avoid those. And maternity leave mums can be a frequent customer.

Obviously if there isn't the space that's a different matter. But if there are a lot of mums in your area and you do have the space I would think about what could work.

Ooh sounds lovely, good luck! My ideal cafe would have:
-friendly smiley staff that make me feel welcome and seem to be enjoying their job.

• a choice of loose tea
• selection of homemade cakes that changes regularly including proper cream teas.
• open at least at lunch and tea time 10am to 7pm would be perfect.

-At least have your opening times accurately online and don't randomly change them. If I ever walk to a cafe to find it shut early despite advertising opening later I don't go back again. (unless there's a note on the door to say theres been an emergency or similar). This has happened to me an annoyingly large number of times. -a play corner for small children. It makes it much more relaxing with my own kids and if I'm not with my kids it means other people's kids are playing not screaming and trying to grab the teapots. -a big walkway and comfy seats with lots of space between them. -really clear price list, ideally online too so I can check in advance it won't break the budget if the kids want a cake with their drink. -lots of space around the till so I'm not awkwardly bumping into people eating while I'm trying to queue. -takes contactless payments!

I went to a cat cafe recently that was my dream cafe. The staff seemed genuinely happy to work there and excited to introduce the cats to someone new. They had a menu of different quality loose teas. Gorgeous homemade cakes and a range of Korean noodle pots, but no other food so they weren't rushing about making different dishes and there was no queue. Menu, prices and details were all online so I could check it all in advance.The chairs were armchairs around the room with a huge amount of space around each one. Really peaceful and calm. There were gorgeous cats (and no dogs or children allowed!) If I lived closer I'd be in there every day.

The reason so many places close at 4 pm is so the owner stands a chance of getting home by 6pm/7pm after starting early doors!

This plus plenty of people say that they'll visit after 4 or after 6pm but relatively few do. We had a thread about this exact topic before and though it certainly works for some there were several cafe owners who said that they'd trialled longer opening hours but their cafes were mostly empty.

Home made cakes with options of gluten free. A cottage type garden to sit outside in. A quirky theme maybe, something homely and comforting.
My favourite cafe has a 1940s theme, family run and has traditional menu choices as well as a fun specials board linked to their brand.

More original vegan sandwich fillings than the ubiquitous and depressing hummus and salad or roasted peppers suggested here!

Loose-leaf tea that comes in a pot, with a strainer and extra jug of hot water.

No extra charge for non-dairy milk (it's so common these days I just don't believe that it's expensive for cafes to provide).

Selection of smaller savouries like interesting sausage rolls/pasties.

Range of cakes: slices, tarts, loaf/bar cakes.

YES to being open until at least 4, 5 or 6 for my preference.
I quite like mismatched and vintage to a point, but am not into frou-frou tablecloths or frilly curtains. I'd like to see a 1920s-style teashop; a bit fresher and less ditzy than the usual.

Ideally no dogs, but if you do allow dogs then don’t let them on the furniture and tell the staff to ask the owners to leave if the dogs are being a pain.

Coffee option that isn’t espresso-based - I much prefer filter, but cafetière will do

Sandwich selection that doesn’t have mayonnaise

If you're by somewhere with lots of footfall - near a train station or on a promenade or along a popular walk - a little hatch doing quick takeaway drinks could bring in lots of easy money to subsidise those having a more relaxed sit-in. I spend my life grabbing coffee and teas to go and I subconsciously default to nice places I know and trust, where I enjoy going for a proper cafe/ tea room experience if I can.

And please do offer tap water on request. You will look mean and stingy at best if you don't.

Just thought of another one - don't be miserable about people using the loo. Think how you would like people to react if you were desperate for the loo. Unless of course there is a public loo within a couple of minutes' walk.

Also, don't have strict times for drinks and lunch. It might be that you are incredibly busy at lunch so would prefer to not have people sitting there nursing a coffee. You'd have to take a view on that. But it is annoying to walk in and be told you only have half an hour. Especially if service is slow and it takes 10 minutes to bring the order over (exactly this has happened to me, interestingly the cafe concerned is no longer in business).

@froomeonthebroom I may be tired but that bluebird menu - it's 10p more to have tea cake with butter than it is to have tea cake with butter AND jam? That is weird?

If you are going to offer afternoon tea, would you please offer a savoury afternoon tea? I don't mind a little bit of cake, but I would much rather savoury than sweet!

Separate serving utensils for each kind of item so that people with allergies aren't risking foods contaminated by other foods. I have a nut allergy and there are so many places I can't eat in case the serving tongs or knife have cross contaminated the cakes and I'm sure it's the same for other allergies.

So the two things I want ideally are loose leaf tea and a decent teapot that doesn't pour half your tea over the table when you try and pour a cup. Also for staff to fill the teapot to the top.

In terms of practicality I am amazed how many teashops shut at 3 or 4pm - I'd often like to go in for a cuppa at 4 or even 5 o'clock.

@MarkWithaC barista oat milk cost the same for 1 litre as 4 litres of cows milk, so it is significantly more expensive, although we actually don't charge extra as we sell apron 5l v 50l so just suck it up!

@PaperNests loads of space sounds lovely but to make money you need bums on seats, all spending, obviously not crushed on top of each other but you need to use the space to generate income

If the OP actually needs sound business ideas this thread is crazy, if it's just whimsical if money no object ideas, lots of suggestions sound delightful!

One of my favourite little places has baskets of crafts eg knitting or crochet that people can add a couple of rows to. It also has a book shelf and things like packets of cards and is super cosy and inviting, like sitting in someone's lounge. The cakes are fresh and they always have a couple of unusual flavours alongside the classics.

I think it's one of those things that sounds like a really great idea, but unless you are in an area where you have constant traffic and people who are prepared to pay high prices, then the business will fail.

Look at everyone's comments. They want to bring in children and dogs Which take up space and don't pay their way. If they bringing children they'll bring in buggies which will take up space. They want large portions, expensive coffee, lots of time to eat and drink and to pay very little for it.

Let's say you have 12 tables.

Each of the customers might bring in a child and a dog. You will then have one or two customers per table. They will bring in their own food and drinks for the children. They will stay for an hour and might only buy a cup of tea or coffee.

It's not rocket science to realise that you could end up losing money very very quickly, especially when you factor in the cost of food and heating.

There's a place near me that offers afternoon cheese:

So sandwiches as normal, cheese scones instead of fruit with jam and then a cheese board instead of the little cakes.

I want tea to be available at tea time... no chucking us out at 4pm... that drives me nuts! It's a TEA shop.

Definitely welcome breastfeeding also.

I can overlook most things as long as the tea comes in a pot and not a tea bag dunked in a mug. When did this awful habit start and when did it become acceptable. We even had it at a National Trust property the other day!

No dogs inside at all - not only do many people not like it, anyone who is nervous if dogs or allergic won't be able to come in at all. Dogs shouldn't be inside a food establishment imo

GF options.

Homemade cakes.

Warm and cosy and clean.

@Katypp in my shop tea comes in a mug, or you can buy a pot which is 2 cups worth. The cost, storage and washing of the amounts of teapots we would need if every cup sold needed a pot would be impossible!

Most sensible business owners have things they way they are for a reason, the ones who aren't cost focused are the ones I see weekly going out of business ☹️

Actually I have another one. Please don't turn it into a nursery and please don't provide entertainment for toddlers. I know mums are good customers during the day, but a cafe opened near me a couple if years ago and advertised toddler story time. craft sessions etc. It completely put me off and I never went in. It closed down recently. I know when you are in the throes of toddler life you think everyone will be enchanted by story time, but believe me, we aren't. Ditto dogs

Cosy and quieter place.

Option to sit more privately not to be crammed and squeezed between other tables.

Clean cutlery and tables or table cloths.

Comfortable chairs.

No blasting music.

Option to read some magazines or newspapers or books provided.

Nice corner for kids to entertain.

Preferably wooden furniture over plastic, glass, or metal.

Lots of floral patterned fabric, plants etc.

Well, that's a given with me being in Yorkshire!!