Are business meetings allowed in coffee shops?

[Spodge]

I am in England. Called in at a Starbucks at the petrol station for a takeaway coffee. Three blokes were sat round a table, laptops out, having drinks. All wearing masks (one had his round his chin - sigh) and all wearing company uniform type jackets.

This isn't legally allowed, is it? Or have I lost the plot? I'm not interested in a discussion of whether this ought to be allowed, though I am sure people will wade in regardless, but I am interested in whether it is legal. I know business meetings of this nature were legal under T3 but I thought that had been done away with.

Not that I’m aware of I thought it was only takeaway only regardless

may have been Starbucks staff?

Do you mean Starbucks jackets?

I guess if they were starbucks regional managers then maybe. Otherwise I'm amazed starbucks allowed it.

Otherwise everyone would be at it, claiming it was a meeting.

Princess Beatrice did similar before lockdown, had a meal with more than 6 friends in a london restaurant. When pulled up on it claimed it was a business meeting which I would wager a guess was a load of bollocks.

sorry or the supermarket/petrol station staff

coffee shops are only allowed to serve take away.

Even in tier 3 and 4. DD is a barista and said she was always having to chivvy people out and tell them they couldn't sit down so possibly they've done it unnoticed, especially in a big motorway place. DD had 2 people hide sat down behind the xmas tree once!

So if someone feels tired on a long journey (for permitted reason eg travelling to a funeral) and stops for a break /coffee /food they won't be allowed to sit down to rest and eat? They'll have to go back to their car and eat there? I travelled a long way for a funeral in December and I'm not sure I would have felt like I'd had a proper break if I'd had to spend it sitting behind the steering wheel. I needed to get away from the car, sit down and stretch my legs out somewhere comfy.

Was it at a motorway service area? They are still allowed to serve food on the premises.

@RichardMarxisinnocent

So if someone feels tired on a long journey (for permitted reason eg travelling to a funeral) and stops for a break /coffee /food they won't be allowed to sit down to rest and eat? They'll have to go back to their car and eat there? I travelled a long way for a funeral in December and I'm not sure I would have felt like I'd had a proper break if I'd had to spend it sitting behind the steering wheel. I needed to get away from the car, sit down and stretch my legs out somewhere comfy.

Of course not. The country's in lockdown

@RichardMarxisinnocent

So if someone feels tired on a long journey (for permitted reason eg travelling to a funeral) and stops for a break /coffee /food they won't be allowed to sit down to rest and eat? They'll have to go back to their car and eat there? I travelled a long way for a funeral in December and I'm not sure I would have felt like I'd had a proper break if I'd had to spend it sitting behind the steering wheel. I needed to get away from the car, sit down and stretch my legs out somewhere comfy.

Yes - as long as it is at a motorway service area. They have an exception to the prohibition.

To be clear - yes, you could eat on the premises if it's at an MSA. My reply was confusing.

I’d no idea they were exempt...makes sense I guess.

@Covidcovid

I’d no idea they were exempt...makes sense I guess.

Paragraph 9 of the relevant legislation.

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1374

Of course not. The country's in lockdown confused
I am aware of that. I'm also aware that driving while tired is dangerous and was just wondering if it was possible for people to get a proper break /rest /sit down when travelling for permitted reasons.

I have to say, I'm glad my dad had the courtesy to drop dead suddenly right at the end of a lockdown so his funeral wasn't during lockdown and I didn't have to worry about driving 5+ hours without a proper break away from the (not very comfortable hire) car.

@ItsGoingTibiaK

To be clear - yes, you could eat on the premises if it's at an MSA. My reply was confusing.

Thank you, obviously not relevant/necessary for me now, but it makes sense and I'm glad there is the exemption.

@ItsGoingTibiaK - thanks. I did not know of that MSA exemption. This is a Starbucks on an A road at a petrol station but in a separate building from where you pay for fuel etc. So I doubt it would count.

@tellthem- not Starbucks staff. Might have been from the petrol station, I suppose.

No problem, @RichardMarxisinnocent. I’m sure @WorraLiberty will be along shortly to apologise for being so rude to you.