To be annoyed my DM was refused access with pram?

[EmeraldA129]

We have a local cafe we go to fairly regularly. Normally myself, my DM & DD who is 4 months & in a pram. We almost always have lunch, juice, coffee & often cake too.

Sometimes my DM comes to look after DD for a few hours & will almost certainly go to the same cafe, sometimes for a full lunch though sometimes just a cake & coffee.

I’ve given them 5* reviews for being so welcoming & friendly. We like the team, we like the food & there are a number of tables that can have a pram sitting next to them without causing hassle to the cafe or other customers.

on Sunday my DM went with my DD & although there were tables available the man that works there (we think owner/ manager) said ‘no, sorry, it’s fine to come in with that when it’s quiet, not when we are busy’. My DM asked if he was being serious, he said yes & showed the person behind her to a table that was free. Other people were leaving & trying to offer their table to my DM, but the man said no, it wasn’t suitable.

we’ve had lunch there many times before DD was born, but have been in at least 10 times since she was born. Previously I’ve always felt like a valued customer but now it feels like they’ve been willing to let us give them custom when they need the extra takings.

My DM won’t be going back & I really don’t want to either. Also want to leave them a new 1* review to balance out my previously glowing one.

This happened 5 days ago so it is clearly really bothering me that I’m posting about it now.

AIBU to be annoyed?

I understand having to fold up the pram if it's busy and no space, but to decline service altogether?

Allowing prams when not busy but asking that they be folded when busy sounds reasonable. Prams blocking the way can be a hazard in the case of fire evacuation, and dangerous in a crowded space.

If the pram wouldn't reduce anyone else being able to come in, then I'm with you. Really unfair. Is he usually there in the week? If there's a different manager in in the week I might be inclined to go, and be asked if you're allowed in today as you were barred Sunday

If the cafe was busy, the pram was large and a fire hazard then I wouldn't complain.

Staff carrying hot food and drinks around buggies and prams when it's busy is a trip hazard and potentially dangerous. It's a sensible precaution and in place to protect you.

I imagine the extra space needed for the pram is acceptable to the business when it is quiet and there are 2 paying customers.

But for 1 paying customer in a busy period, they'd rather keep the table available for a larger party.

It's a shame, but I can understand the manager being more discerning as under financial pressure than the accommodating team members. If they were polite, I'd let it go.

Fuck that. Give them a 1 star review. As long as it’s not blocking fire exits then it’s all good.

Well was the pram blocking the aisles? Could it have been collapsed?

I roll my eyes at one star reviews written by people that didn’t actually experience a place but went along and could not be accommodated for whatever reason.

If its one of those inpractical ridiculously large prams i can see their point tbh.

Is she certain she was denied service/entry entirely or has she gotten her wires crossed and he just wanted her to collapse the pram?

If the pram can't be collapsed/she refused to collapse it and it was a busy day, I can understand the H&S issues it would create to staff and other customers.

They’re a private business and if they don’t want to risk trip hazards or taking up too much space, it’s entirely their choice. Usually it’s due to risks around space. They are entitled to that.

It's the chance you take when you have bulky prams. A lot of places don't allow them and don't have to allow them. They get in the way and are a hazard. All well and good when its quiet but at busy times they're a pain. Same as buses. You take a chance with it.

I’d leave a review so that others with prams are aware.

Did your DM offer to fold up the pram?

If it was busy then a pram is potentially a fire risk and a cafe can get in a lot of trouble for blocking fire routes so I can see why they declined.

How big is it and can it be folded?

If there's no space, there's no space. Its a safety thing.

Ice seen quite a few cafes with signs saying that while children are welcome, there isn't space for pushchairs.

Yes, YABU.
I think the cafe have every right to not have space taken up by bulky prams.

Did she offer to fold it up (can it be folded?) I can see the managers point tbh if it’s a huge pram, when I worked in a cafe it was a complete pain to deal with large buggies when it was busy and having to manoeuvre around them.

How big is the cafe and how big is the pram?

Yeah that's rubbish.

Unlike most on here, I actually agree with you OP. If he had said to your DM 'I'm awfully sorry but with so many customers at present, it's difficult for us to serve people, and a bit of a health & safety risk, but if the pram folds up, you could take baby out, and we'll pop the pram over here out of the way', then fair enough. However, from what you've said it doesn't sound like he was at all friendly in the way he approached the matter, which would have made all the difference to how your DM perceived things.

Was it the owner or a staff member?

I would send an email and say you will not be returning and will be leaving a bad review, but you may get a response back from the owner.

Agree with this.

Couldn't she just fold the pram?