To think this cafe is right?

[KimberleyClark]

A cafe in Aberystwyth has asked people to stop hogging tables with laptops.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn5361933pno

I think they have probably enforced a rule as it seems people lack awareness of others. It is frustrating in some cafes where you need to start queuing to get drinks/food only to then find no where to sit. This happened to me with my mum in a chain coffee shop in a busy city. There were a few tables like this occupied with people on laptops or simply on phones with headphones on, but empty cups and plates. We wandered around a bit before a couple asked if we wanted to share their table. Continued to see some of the people at a table for two continue to be seated with their empty cup (so it wasn't the case of waiting for a friend to get another).
If I was in a busy cafe I would move on, especially seeing others struggling to get a seat, but it doesn't seem like this is the norm any more.

Because you feel like you're intruding on their work space and have to be quiet, with some even glaring or huffing if a group are chatting. That's not even mentioning the twats that take loud work calls (and the annoying tippy tappy typing!).

Oh god yes I’m completely with you on the obnoxious ones thinking it’s their personal office!

But sitting quietly, unobtrusively, I struggle to see why it’s an issue tbh.

So is Aberystwyth so I’m not surprised that seats are taken for long periods of time.

I often work from my local cafes. I always make sure I have bought enough to cover the time and don't stay longer than 2 hours anyway. I chose a smaller table suited to one or two. I also leave if it gets super busy and I have finished my food/drink. I would do exactly the same if I didnt have my laptop. I personally like seeing a few people on their laptops in cafes, it feels cosy to me. I have only once or twice come across a glaring entitled person on a call I just ignored them because they don't own the cafe. The issue is when people stay for 5 hours with one coffee hogging a 4 person table. It is easy to use a space in a considerate way but it doesnt surprise me that many don't.

So the issue isn't really what people are doing while they have their coffee and cake-- it is unreasonable inconsiderate people, and they are everywhere, both with and without laptops.

Why don't the cafe staff ask people to leave if people are hogging tables?

This dilemma is trotted out all the time but no one ever says anything.

They shouldn't have too itis a business not a charity are people not able to join the dots?

This, if it’s not cost effective the right option is to ban it.

But if it is, they’re cutting their noses off to spite their face.

My local Starbucks is about 75% individuals on laptops at any given time. This works fine as they have organised their seating to be mostly tables for 2 an and few larger ones for groups. So the laptop people aren’t really hogging too much space.

The independent cafe I actually use to socialise is mostly larger tables. A single patron on a laptop having one or 2 drinks would block a table who could easily be spending way more so I could see why they’d be peeved. Never tend to see it in there mind you.

I think the whole laptop in cafe scenario should be banned! I have been to several cafes and bought something to eat and drink and cannot sit down due to them all sitting there with just a coffee that lasts hours :-(

It's not realistic to expect all customers will be mindful, cafe staff need to be trained to monitor peak and off times and speaking up to table hoggers, loud people, dog bringers etc

Do you go to Cardigan Bay regularly? I do and have always done, camping and fishing. People can get time off work and the prices fall, plus no school children, on that rainy Monday. People don't like dogs and some don't like tourists, but recognise that we are regular business and don't care about the weather. Businesses are thriving across coastal Wales, because it's a beautiful place all year round.

Very often the person then orders a bowl of chips, but it doesn't compare to the all-day breakfast, for at least two people that they still have to turn away.

agree. The laptop thing is a red herring really - anyone who stays for a long time without spending much money should be asked to leave.

Someone typing away quietly in the corner is usually less annoying to other staff and clients than a loud raucous group laughing away, or a baby crying and throwing food for staff to clean up, or a dog getting under everyone's feet...etc.

OTOH of course someone who chose to set up in a busy environment who huffs, puffs and glares when other customers have the temerity to talk above a whisper, or who takes over a group sized table because "they get claustrophobic with all the glasses and condiments and my laptop on a 2 seater" (as per a poster on here last week) is unreasonable.

Simple solution. A notice saying “crockery and cutlery only on tables “

Ha I am just in a cafe now, 4 tables and 2 have laptop hogs on them 😂

Without boundaries people will do what benefits them most, even if that means buying one coffee in exchange for hours of table space. Min wage staff don’t care.

I went to a new to me cafe recently to meet a friend for brunch. Busy while we were there but as we left it had pretty much emptied out and the only ones were two or three lap top users. I thought how nice - it had a great atmosphere and it was their dead period. But I would hope those customers would move on once the next crowd hit.
I think fine to move people on if they’ve been sitting for a while and the place is getting busy, and that pertains to people who have long finished their drink or food and are just chatting while a line is forming.

Maybe they could change their business model and charge for the use of the table and the coffee is free 😀

Or just follow the examples of car parks and not charge for the first hour ?

Clearly this story illustrates a teachable moment about what was, what is and what is to come and how businesses need to evolve and adapt.

I try to do something similar if I work in a cafe.

I buy a drink and lunch, then a second drink and hour later, and stay about 2.5h. I am only ever there when the cafe is about half empty. I'm sitting at the back where people don't often sit, and don't look like a seat blocker form the window.

I don't think the cafe are losing out from my attendance, and I'd probably stay 4h if I got a cheap third drink.

I get sick of all the lap top table hoggers. We have a little cafe close to us. Every morning it is full of people WFH. It looks like a hot desk office.