To complain about no highchair rule

[Lofu]

At a garden centre today we went to the cafe for lunch. I have been before pre covid and know the little corner where they keep the highchairs, so went and got one.
Half way through our meals a server came over and told me off for using a high chair. Apparently they are not allowed to use them because of covid.
This is the first place I've heard of such a thing. Would I be unreasonable to email a complaint? I can't decide whether the cafe are well within their right to make whatever rule they like, or whether it is discrimination of children.

I've taken my child out to beer gardens and they have offered us high chairs or we have just asked then got one. One thing you aren't suppose to do is move chairs around yourself. So email them and ask them about their high chair policy.

If you can’t use them they should have removed them.

I think you’re looking for issues, now you’re unhappy about steps with no ramp. Just a tough day.

@Lofu

Nobody said anything to me as I went and got the high chair (which is normal practice there) and the server who brought our meals didn't say anything. A person came over toward the end of our meals and said 'just so you know we're not allowing people to use high chairs because of covid. '. I just said 'sorry, I didn't know, we're almost done'. Completely non confrontational I've got no issues with anyone's tone or manner.

I should mention that this garden centre is attached to a petting farm and play park very aimed at small children, it's always catered to small children.

I got a bit more annoyed when we left via the new designated exit which was onto a patio and down loads of steps without a ramp.

It just seems so arbitrary!

"I got a bit more annoyed when we left via the new designated exit which was onto a patio and down loads of steps without a ramp."

Now this maybe considered as discrimination, not for kids, but for those in wheelchairs. Unless there's another exit that has a ramp.

YABU, and no, it’s not “age discrimination” , because that’s only applicable to adults.

YANBU OP, if they don’t want you using high chairs then they need to move them or add a sign.

Wooden high chairs are easy to clean too.

I’d write - you don’t have to complain but at the very least it might make them put up a sign to avoid future issues.

Discrimination

Your first post says -

Half way through our meals a server came over and told me off for using a high chair.

Then -
*
A person came over toward the end of our meals and said 'just so you know we're not allowing people to use high chairs because of covid. '. I just said 'sorry, I didn't know, we're almost done'. Completely non confrontational I've got no issues with anyone's tone or manner.*

So why say in your first post you were 'told off'? You weren't told off, you say yourself later that you've no problem with how the rule was put across to you. But your first post gives the impression of a finger wagging nag, why the need to make it out to be something it wasn't to make your complaint sound like it has more credibility?

It's things like this that are the biggest obstacle to the hospitality industry right now.

I do think that if they're not using them for distancing/hygiene reasons that needs to be stated, and in all honesty I can't see why they can't be used for hygiene reasons as they can be cleaned like any other chair, maybe for social distancing it could pose a problem depending on the room etc. But they've made the decision for a reason, they should have made that decision clear.

Have you ever tried feeding a wriggly baby on your lap and eating at the same time? 😂

Posted too soon. I've eaten out a few times lately and everywhere has allowed use of high chairs so just seems to be them!

Is anyone else getting high chair ads on this thread now

I’d have thought it was easier to clean a high chair than some of the chairs they have in those places