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.

I think its a great idea.

It's a cafe, not an office.

My local (independent) coffee shop have non laptop days and hours now. They had too many people buying one coffee then basically moving in for the day including charging their devices. They only have a dozen tables so it was denting their revenue.

I would never dream of taking a call out. Unprofessional for starters.

Good for them. 👍

It’s a bit off topic but I always feel sorry for people who are interviewed in a cafe. It isn’t kind to make someone reveal personal or important stuff in a public place.

Good for them! Totally agree with the banning of laptops and people working in cafes. Apart from any other considerations, it just doesn't suit the ambience of relaxed chat and it has just always seemed to me the most horrendous cheek.

I didn't know how to vote because I'm not sure about how you phrased your question.

Good! I hate listening to people on work calls.

That said, I do think there should be more drop-in co-working spaces that are reasonable, like a wework for 5-10 pounds per day. This would help the economy, ease the housing crisis and normalise WFH which is good for our mental health!

A cafe is not a full time workplace. If they want a workplace then try We Work or similar.

How on earth can the customer ask staff to be quiet for their zoom call, that is totally out of order. I am not against the concept of people working quietly in a cafe but they should be spending sufficient money whilst there.

Perfectly reasonable. I wish more cafes would do it.

Ok but people need to actually be spending money and not just sitting there all day. Presumably they’ve seen that it’s not working

I imagine it depends entirely on the cafe and what the customer is spending

It's hard to get a seat in a coffee shop I used to go to, because its full of people working. And don't start me on trailing wires as they plug into the cafe sockets!

I would make a point of coming to your cafe. I like your style!!

@Candleabra and @GingerAndLimeCurd

I've heard conversations in a cafe or on a train which from when I was at work client / customer would be unhappy to hear this was overheard this but I think some people just think everyone around them does not understand what they are are talking about . Actually the slightly elderly woman on her Kindle in the corner knows exactly what you are talking about and suspects you should be in a more private space 😁

There is almost nowhere left where you can exist outside of your home or workplace that doesn't come with the expectation of spending money.

Have all the parks and woods and beaches suddenly disappeared without me noticing? These people aren't trying to "exist" outside their home. They are working. Why would you expect another business to provide a free place to work, outside of your work and home??

We have a lovely local tea shop type cafe that has a ban on laptops between 11.30-2.30 on week days - means they don’t lose a table to someone nursing a single coffee at peak times compared to a potential person/persons who come in for lunch. I support their decision, and based on how busy it is most days it doesn’t seem to have hurt their business.

Here in London where I am, there are many cafes with ‘laptop-free’ tables. Why would they institute them if there was no financial disadvantage from people working there?

Good.
If you don't like that, FO back in the office.
Simple.

I run a cafe. I cannot remember a time when we have ever been at 5% occupancy! We’re always busy to the point where larger premises is a serious consideration because a lot of the time some people have no choice but to leave and either go elsewhere or come back later.
We don’t grumble about people working from the shop but I’m not shy of asking people pointedly if they want another drink and a lot of the regular work from cafes people know I’ll move them to a single table so they’re not taking up too much room. And if anybody even tried to ask me to be quiet they’d be getting my most enthusiastic rendition of Justin Beiber’s Baby Baby song.

I worked in a large chain cafe in a touristy area as a barista, and found the numbers balanced out. The laptop workers mean other patrons can’t sit there however they came every single day.
Even in the off seasons we could guarantee certain people would be there and would most like get a few drinks and sandwich over the day.
every single Day. And then on weekends would come with their families and spend a lot more money.
They were also usually a lot friendlier and more polite than one off tourists so it was a pleasure to have them despite the lower cost.
It was definitely in our interest to keep these people and their laptops.
I’m in another job but still visit there and the same people are still there working.
This cafe made on average 3k a week when I was there so we did okay!

100% support them. Used to work in hospitality and a man who did this drove me bonkers. Always hogging a table that others could use sipping his free refill coffee for 8 hours using WiFi and electric for free. People take the mick and it annoys me as a customer if I see people using somewhere as an office space and there are no other tables free.

The dumb customer should invest in a decent mic and get themselves trained in using the mute controls, on the apps and also the hardware. I've never had any issue with taking the odd call in a cafe

I think there's a definite market in quality spaces for remote working, but ones that are properly costed from a business perspective. The cheaper "professional" spaces aren't that expensive, the main problem is a large fixed cost that's only worth it if you use that specific space regularly. There's not the infrastructure (software + physical locations) to support ad-hoc PAYG setups in large numbers. It would be nice to see some of the freed up permanent office space used for that. I work from home, but it'd nice to have different spots around the city I could "go to work" where I could nip out to do little chores .. choosing whatever location best suits the specific chore(s) or evening social event

Good, in Leeds 2 weeks ago in a cafe (200°) it was 10am I was the only one not on a Laptop. Fair enough if they're ordering stuff but they'd ordered a Coffee, drank it, and were still hogging the tables.

That is not the problem.
The problem is that some many are aresholes.

Of course they were taking the piss. Cafes should
make a charge per half hour. That’d stop people abusing facilities that belong to cafes.