Costa Coffee - can I work there for about 3hrs with laptop etc?

[SWnewstart]

Is it OK to work in a small town branch of Costa Coffee with laptop / mobile / discreet calls for about 3 hours? Obviously several drinks will be ordered and probably food too. I can't find any other possible venues. It will be morning and never really gets busy or full to the extent where I'd be taking up seat space. The library is closed tomorrow and there are no business hub spaces around.

If you order more than one drink and some food I don't see why not.

What's wrong with home?

I can't see it being an issue as long as you're ordering however it might be worth asking when you go in just to be sure

Ive done that a couple of times and they’ve never batted an eyelid 🤷‍♀️ I just go in, order a drink, ask if there’s any tables near a power supply then settle down. I try not to do it if I have any calls but then I figure it’s much the same as if I was conversing with someone who was with me, as long as it’s not confidential work stuff of course, and I wear my headset.

You're better off asking the staff surely?

As long as you’re purchasing, I doubt they mind.

Should be fine

Thanks for responses - it's a one-off stint for just a few hours. Need to be out of the house tomorrow morning (personal reasons, not elaborating here) and because I will be reliant on somebody else for transport to/from Costa, I'd rather know beforehand what the "etiquette" might be, hence not simply asking the staff and asking MNs who may have done this.

I’ve done this before op: possibly for more like 2 hours and laptop rather than calls. If you order food in the middle; keep your drink occasionally topped up and don’t hog the biggest table, I don’t think anyone will have an issue.

Check their parking restrictions, I recently met a friend at Costa and we both received £100 parking tickets for going over 2hrs 15 mins, it was on a retail park that i visit regularly and every other bit is free parking so I never thought to check for restrictions

DD does this for a couple of hours in Caffè Nero one afternoon a week before choir. She has a drink and cake and doesn’t have any problems with it

If you are spending some money there then you can do what you like.
What about the library?

Ok thanks for all your views. On balance it seems possible. Library closed, as mentioned in original post! No parking issues as I will be dropped off and met at pre-arranged time (current mobility issues)

Loads of people work in coffee shops.

You are planning to buy lots of drinks and food so there should be no problem

You won't be the only one.

I live in a uni town. Students spend many hours in coffee shops with their laptops and a coffee. No one looks twice. It's totally normal.

Yes of course. Lots of people do this for work, school etc. Just keep a steady flow drinks/snack purchases

Of course. Loads of people do it.

A hotel lobby that serves coffee might be quieter?

It's fine. I had a job interview in Costa once!

Absolutely fine.

I'm sure it'll be fine but just be aware of any parking restrictions! The Costa near me has a limit of 90mins.

I think its fine too so long as you don't talk too loudly on calls (some people really project their voices, especially if they are just wearing earbuds instead of a proper headset).

Quick update - working for the morning in Costa was absolutely fine. Quiet corner, 2 drinks and carrot cake spaced out. Nobody batted an eyelid at this situation and support available with mobility issues (first time out using crutches). All is well :-)