Laptops banned in cafe

[Pricklylikethecactus]

A cafe in Canterbury has banned laptops after people asked staff to be quiet when they were on zoom calls, asked for the music to be turned off and generally ruined the atmosphere. They also said that these customers blocked tables, that could be used by more profitable customers as many of these people would just by a £3 coffee and keep the table for several hours.

I’ve worked from cafes from time to time, but always try to make sure I spend a some money periodically-even if it is a cake to take home or an extra coffee to pay my way, but I do see others just paying for a single drink.

Is this cafe in Canterbury right, are these people taking the piss? And do you ever do this and find somewhere to work for several hours and only spend a tiny amount-and why is that ok? These places are trying to run a business after all.

Don’t disagree with you at all.

It’s the sweeping judgements from other posters on this thread about people generally working in cafes being selfish that are a windup.

This particular cafe is very small, and no back support on the chairs (urgh!) so I think anyone would be foolish to try and work in there. Maybe they’ve had an issue with one or two specific customers so they issued the ban. Fair enough really. I assume that cafe is mostly used for grab-and-go anyway, as it doesn’t look particularly comfy or welcoming, but also it’s not very near the high st or a station, so not entirely sure who is going there. Someone must be.

The cynic in me thinks they’ve only issued this “ban” for a bit of free press in the local paper, and to get people talking on Facebook….

You can see photos on the internet. Someone has posted one right above you on this thread.

Good on the cafe. They have to look after their business.

Yes, and I'll ask again.

How do you know what the atmosphere might be like?

I live near canterbury, I think it's naive of them. Canterbury has very few shops to draw people in and with increased parking charges people now are driving to Westwood cross for their weekend shopping. I'd be taking the WFH pound if I were them!

Most people work during working hours…. Mon-fri 9-5. Have you tried going to a cafe during this time? They’re usually half empty, if not fully empty. Because everyone is at work or school.

I’m retired and the cafes I frequent during these hours are often full of workers but also of mums with their babies at these times.

Totally agree. They are businesses not community centres. And telling them to be quiet for a zoom call is way beyond taking the piss!!

I doubt that's the sole reason they went bust. They really could have put a stop to that before it go to that point

Sorry totally misread that. Dohhhh

Most people work during working hours…. Mon-fri 9-5. Have you tried going to a cafe during this time? They’re usually half empty, if not fully empty. Because everyone is at work or school.

I don't know there you live, but it's not the case where I am. And I'm fed up of walking into a nice cafe for a drink, and finding there's nowhere to sit because nearly all the tables are taken up by people on laptops. So I leave and the cafe loses another customer

Why are all these people working in coffee shops anyway? Don’t they have homes or offices?

People working can't expect a quiet area where no one speaks. They shouldn't be using the cafe to take video calls or answer phone calls.

Local cafes that allow laptop working have signs up, and appear to generally enforce, a 1 for 1 policy. For every hour they are there they must have one order, with a minimum spend.
Another has a daily fee for people wanting to work on a laptop or tablet.

I agree and I think that’s a very reasonable idea. 50 for morning or afternoon. Including tea and filter coffee. Lunch to be booked with the table and paid for as extra.

I love working in a cafe as a change of scene. But I always ask if it’s okay, keep an eye on space to make sure new customers have somewhere to sit, never make calls, and either buy plenty or leave a decent tip. I have frequently got quite annoyed at other laptop people who have long loud calls, one coffee, and no consideration for anyone else. It’s a shame as it does sometimes make me feel embarrassed that other people will think I’m going to behave like that just because I also have a laptop, but I think in reality it’s a large minority who aren’t considerate. I can see why some cafes ban all laptops to cope with it though, or have certain hours where laptops aren’t welcome - I think the latter is a good strategy as then they can use their discretion a bit.

I work remotely and live in a tiny, dark, one bed flat. I don’t think it’s that uncommon these days. I work from my kitchen table most of the time but a change of scene and seeing other people is sometimes nice!

@PurpleCacao

@Badburyringssuch martyr behaviour, next time just go to a cafe with available tables and support them by buying stuff.

It's not martyrdom, this is what I actually said in my post:

When this happens lots of people tell me to go to a cafe but I can't bring myself to, I would be too embarrassed. I end up going to an area in my car to get a mobile signal and work from the car, not the best working environment but I just can't get my head round doing calls in a busy cafe.

To confirm I said I would be embarrassed and I couldn't get my head around doing calls in a busy cafe. I would not want people to hear me at work on a zoom or teams call. Whilst I realise that no one would be interested in what I am saying I would be very aware of being disruptive to others in the cafe who are not working but enjoying a coffee with friends for example.

Is this Prêt in Canterbury?
If so, it was happening before Covid and the laptop brigade needing stopping then!

Fifty is way over the top. I'd be staggered if any cafe expected to make fifty quid profit per table per morning. Twenty would be much more like it, including coffee.

My local hot-desking-friendly restaurant charges a tenner a day during the week including bottomless coffee, but I grant you that that's exceptionally cheap because they're a really large space who wouldn't have to turn away any lunchtime traffic, so it's pure profit.

As much fun as it is debating on here, surely cafe owners will make the right decision according to them?!

I think it’s one of those things that needs common sense. I’ll often leave the office for an hour and find a coffee shop to knuckle down in. Always buy a drink (sometimes 2) and something cakey. I never take a call (unless it’s one I don’t need to speak on), and pick a quiet cafe where there’s plenty of free tables and it’s clear they’re happy to have me. I’ll clear out if it gets busy. Works well for both parties!

On the other hand, you can never get a seat at my local Starbucks because of all the students sipping their water and nursing empty tea cups, whilst taking up a seating area meant for 4 💁‍♀️

Good for them! I experienced this in a cafe recently and it did spoil my lunch a bit. Zoom calls, honestly.

Having any meeting in a cafe is pretty silly in my opinion. I've seen people doing 1 - 1s, discussing clients so that everyone around knows all their details, laptops not screened so people at the next table can read what is on their screens. Even had one complete twonk wandering around a Starbuck type place, talking loudly on his phone, with it on speaker while drinking his coffee. This was in addition to having all his stuff spread over a table for 4 people. These people have no concept of data protection let alone the manners to be out in public.

I've no problem with someone using their laptop, tablet, phone for a short while as they drink their coffee or have their lunch but then they need to move on.

How do you know what the atmosphere might be like?

It looks trendy from the pic, but I agree it doesn't seem to have much coziness. Stools facing out of the window, no sofas or dimmed lights. No colour.

It looks like it is made for laptops, too.

You don't need to go to subway to guess the atmosphere, either.

Exactly this.

Good idea. Hate it when I want to pop in somewhere for a quick coffee, or to meet a friend for lunch and all the tables are hogged by people working for hours, having bought one drink.

I think that any cafe should be able to have a 'time limit', those sitting for a couple of hours with one coffee are losing the cafe business.