Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

What is a reasonable time for a café to stop serving before it closes?

89 replies

ohxmastreeohxmastree · 21/12/2023 17:07

If a coffee shop closes at 6, when would you expect the last time to order a coffee and a snack to be before they close the tills?

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 21/12/2023 18:41

zurala · 21/12/2023 18:34

To me the closing time should be the latest time you can order, cleaning time is after that. I used to work in pubs and while you might try and do some clearing up before closing, you couldn't start properly till after last orders. Maybe cafes should put their last orders time on the door? I find it infuriating to go into somewhere that's "open" to be told I can't be served. You aren't open then are you?
I appreciate that greedy unpleasant bosses not paying for cleaning time is a big issue but opening hours should still mean exactly that.

So it closes at 6, 5.55 a group of moms come in with a gaggle kids. They've just been to see Santa and wanted to grab a coffee. You really think the shop staff should stand around until whenever people want to leave?

Rosecoffeecup · 21/12/2023 18:45

5:30 to eat in, 5:50 for takeaway

enculer · 21/12/2023 18:46

So it closes at 6, 5.55 a group of moms come in with a gaggle kids. They've just been to see Santa and wanted to grab a coffee. You really think the shop staff should stand around until whenever people want to leave?

You need a sign saying 'takeout only from 5:45' or something along those lines. I don't understand the point of a coffee shop being open if it's not open?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
guineapigslave · 21/12/2023 18:53

@enculer that's not really how they work, as I remember. It takes a fair amount of time, you have to run chemicals through the mechanism and then you have to put loads of water through before using again. There is no hygiene risk during the day, although obviously they are kept cleanish and tidy.

Not aimed at you, I blame horrible managers/owners for the lack of clarity, but I do think people in general could learn a lot from working in similar settings for a bit. No one should work for free, especially when earning so little and doing such a tiring job.

WandaWonder · 21/12/2023 18:57

As long as there is signage, I would say its up to the cafe

enculer · 21/12/2023 19:00

@guineapigslave thanks for explaining.

Honeyroar · 21/12/2023 19:01

I have a coffee shop. Quite a few come in last minute for coffee/cake/milkshakes/toasties. I do inwardly roll my eyes, but do serve them. A lot of them are quite apologetic.

Honeyroar · 21/12/2023 19:05

I don’t mind too much if it’s one of the machines that I’ve already cleaned down, but if I have to do a milkshake machine, coffee machine and toastie press it can add another half hour onto my close. I’d always pay staff until they left though.

WhatsInStoreFor2024 · 21/12/2023 19:07

Come on op..... what's happened?

guineapigslave · 21/12/2023 19:11

Also (sorry this thread has triggered bad memories haha) making coffee makes SUCH a mess. Even doing an Americano or something, you'll have to wipe everything down again because the grounds go everywhere. But yeah, bad bosses are the answer, customers aren't to know.

zurala · 21/12/2023 19:12

enculer · 21/12/2023 18:46

So it closes at 6, 5.55 a group of moms come in with a gaggle kids. They've just been to see Santa and wanted to grab a coffee. You really think the shop staff should stand around until whenever people want to leave?

You need a sign saying 'takeout only from 5:45' or something along those lines. I don't understand the point of a coffee shop being open if it's not open?

Exactly. You make it clear the shop is closing in five minutes so they'll need to have it in takeaway cups and leave at 6. That's not a hard concept to understand.

C152 · 21/12/2023 19:39

6pm, as that is how I was trained, but I'm aware that's not how most places are now.

Feralgremlin · 21/12/2023 19:44

When I worked in a cafe, it was last sit in order at 5.30 but take aways until bang on 6pm. We were contracted until 6.15 irc so that we could close up/do the takings after 6pm

kimchio · 21/12/2023 20:40

5

Original poster
ohxmastreeohxmastree · 21/12/2023 20:53

Sorry to be that person and not come back - I cracked on with my Xmas food shop! Blush Grin

Yes the PP who said they imagined I’d just tried to get something in a café before posting - you’re spot on. They close at 6, I went in at 5 and asked for a coffee and a toasted teacake. They said coffee machine is off now and they’d have to see if they could still do the teacake. I’m not some big entitled beast as some seem to think - I’m always skint so don’t venture to coffee shops very often and I didn’t know if I was massively taking the piss trying to go in at 5! Pleased to see I wasn’t making a complete fool of myself Grin

And to the PP who asked if I’ve worked in hospitality - yes, for years and years!!!

OP posts:
NonSequentialRhubarb · 21/12/2023 21:16

I'd say from 5.45 they should be serving all food/drinks in takeaway packaging, and they should be walking the last customers out the door at 6pm and locking up behind them.

I'd expect the staff to do the majority of the cleaning once the store was officially closed, so their official clocking out time would be however long after 6 it needed to be. That's how it's worked in any retail place I've worked.

SirChenjins · 21/12/2023 22:52

They put the coffee machine off an hour before closing?! That’s ridiculous - what was their justification for it, did they say? Confused

user1484492781 · 21/12/2023 23:07

If anyone really wants to put their money into a coffee shop that's fair to their staff , please don't choose Costa . Staff aren't paid after closing time and are treated quite appallingly in most of the ones I worked in / covered .
Also now owned by Coca Cola x

Redskyatwhatever · 21/12/2023 23:13

Whenever that want to it’s their business after all, if customers don’t find the hours convenient they can choose to spend their money in another cafe.

catotangent · 21/12/2023 23:30

Sit in 5.15-30. Takeaway 5.45

SD1978 · 22/12/2023 00:00

5.45- and I'd expect a sign on the sore that we stop serving food/ drink and x time. Some places serve up to closing and then close the store after. Some include it in their hours. Neither is wrong but I'd expect the store to be transparent which they do.

suki1964 · 22/12/2023 00:06

LauderSyme · 21/12/2023 17:13

If it was closing a kitchen I'd say 5.15 but not a till. In fact I would expect the till readings to be done after closing time.

And what time would you say cleaning the coffee machine should take place, when it takes 15 - 20 mins depending on machine and staff are paid to 6pm?

sunr111se · 22/12/2023 00:08

530, but make sure those obnoxious coffee nurturers know when it's cold they're gone.

MulledWineBeMine · 22/12/2023 00:14

Lilithlogic · 21/12/2023 18:32

The entitlement of some of the posters on here is ridiculous.

@Lilithlogic I know, it's shocking, people expecting to be able to order a drink when a cafe is 'open'

Lilithlogic · 22/12/2023 07:45

MulledWineBeMine · 22/12/2023 00:14

@Lilithlogic I know, it's shocking, people expecting to be able to order a drink when a cafe is 'open'

Show quote history

No expect the owner to shut when they want it shut, rather than when the owner deems it. The customer can go elsewhere