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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect a naice cafe to have a loo?

69 replies

SeashellHoarder · 22/02/2017 17:36

My judgement is skewed as this made me a bit cross.

Long story:

I've had a tough few weeks so I decided to go out with the baby for a fancy hot chocolate at a naice cafe. Sans buggy as parked round the corner.

Ordered said fancy hot choc and baby has a poonami. So I ask for baby change and they don't have one. I ask if there's a loo to change her in. The answer is no. Apparently it's her private home.

She said: "Would you let a stranger change their baby in your loo?"

My answer is"yes!" Btw.

She offered to let me change baby on the stairs.

There was no sign before I went in that it was a private home. Lots of signage out front, menus, sandwich board etc.

I had to leave with baby to sort it out and leave the expensive hot choc!

Baby has just had 8 week jabs so I have to wash hands thoughly after each change. I had to change baby on lap in car and drive to nearest public loos.

Wibu to expect a loo?

OP posts:
OneWithTheForce · 22/02/2017 18:34

stickers advertising trip advisor and Facebook listings outside.

Post reviews on both!

Original poster
SeashellHoarder · 22/02/2017 18:35

neep now I wish I had, but at the time I was a bit upset at how she spoke to me, so didn't have the nerve for a battle

OP posts:
Original poster
SeashellHoarder · 22/02/2017 18:36

One if I'd have checked the trip advisor before I went I wouldn't have gone. No one mentions the los but the do mention the rude owner.

OP posts:
BrieAndChilli · 22/02/2017 18:39

Maybe that's her business model - be rude to people/refuse to let them use amenities so they go off in a grump, she's pocketed £2.75 which is about normal for a hot choc with cream and she hasn't actually had to do anything!! Easy money!!

Boynamedsue · 22/02/2017 18:40

Can you link to it on tripadvisor? I'm intrigued! (I also find a strange enjoyment in reading reviews about weird owners!)

olderthanyouthink · 22/02/2017 18:41

Link to trip advisor and or google maps?

dudsville · 22/02/2017 18:44

I live in a town that has a fabulous but minuscule cafe, they don't have loos, but they are situated near public loos. I hate to find myself in an establishment without a loo. You have my sympathy.

Original poster
SeashellHoarder · 22/02/2017 18:45

Sorry, I don't know how to do clicky links.

It's the Time Cafe, in probus.

OP posts:
OhtoblazeswithElvira · 22/02/2017 18:50

Here there are a few local cafes that don't have toilets. Apparently they don't have to if there are public loos within a certain distance (which there are). Very annoying!

Crunchymum · 22/02/2017 18:52

Sorry added clicky link

empirerecordsrocked · 22/02/2017 18:54

Loads of prets / eats etc in London don't have toilets - I've never understood why!

Leggit · 22/02/2017 18:57

As pp's have said, there are different criteria depending on the class of business regarding loos. I have to add though, there is nothing wrong with changing your baby in the car, i have done hundreds of nappy changes between my 4 DC in the car. I would choose the car over a public toilet most days tbh.

TeaCake5 · 22/02/2017 19:00

Is the bloke in the red shirt in the outside pic about to throw up?

NotTheMrMenAgain · 22/02/2017 19:06

We go to a nice little cafe regularly and it hasn't got a loo for customers, although it has the highest council scoring for hygiene. The owner said it's to do with the number of covers - if it's under 25 (I think) you don't have to provide a customer loo. He let's regulars use the staff loo, but doesn't advertise the fact because it's through the stock room / storage area and he reckons he'd get lots of people just wanting to use the loo.

The comment about it being her private home is odd - if it's a cafe then surely it's also her business. I'd expect any reasonable person to help you out and let you use the facilities if you've got a poo - covered baby. Definitely don't go there again, she doesn't sound very nice!

OhtoblazeswithElvira · 22/02/2017 19:16

Yes MrMen her Facebook page states that the cafe is privately owned... is that a thing? Most cafés that are not in state-owned museums or similar are privately owned, aren't they? Hmm

Yet again an example of people who set up a business but seem to dislike customers!

Original poster
SeashellHoarder · 22/02/2017 20:04

Thanks crunchy that's the one.

Legit I normally can, but not a poonami!

The thing is, in winter Cornwall cafés are deathly quiet, and most customers are locals you think she'd try to make an effort so you come back.

OP posts:
Original poster
SeashellHoarder · 22/02/2017 20:06

I know, MrMen if a mum knocked on my door with a pooey baby I would let her in! And I don't run a cafe!

Blazes I did get that feeling, like it was a bad job choice.

OP posts:
NeepNeepNeep · 22/02/2017 21:11

You're all invited to my new enterprise "Café Neep". It's chez moi naturellement. I serve a selection of luxury beverages and cakes which I lob at you from my doorstep down my drive because I don't want you and your filfthy germs in my private abode. Do call by soon!

Janey50 · 24/02/2017 03:06

Whether a cafe has to provide toilet facilities is usually up to the local council,and is dependent upon things such as the number of seats in the establishment,the number of hours it is open,and whether there are public toilets nearby. Also where it is situated (e.g. in a shopping centre) is a deciding factor and whether or not it sells alcohol. So unfortunately,it is not as straightforward as you might think. But I do think she was rude referring to you as a stranger!

Janey50 · 24/02/2017 03:07

Neep Grin Love that!

BillSykesDog · 24/02/2017 03:18

If it has less than 10 seats it doesn't have to have a loo. But some councils have jettisoned this to combat Greggs. But if it's a takeaway with just a few seats none is required.

But I can see from her FB there are way more than 10 seats. She should have one.

Foxesarefriends · 24/02/2017 03:59

Weird response to this review, so I clicked the helpful button.

To expect a naice cafe to have a loo?
contractor6 · 24/02/2017 06:50

Interestly she only replies to negative comments, personally I am impressed when I take the time to review that a place reaponds with a thankyou.