Would you pay to enter a coffee shop?

[Coffeebarn]

I am in the process of setting up a coffee shop / play area in my local town. There is nothing for parents and under 5s in my town for miles and the next place is a really big play warehouse about £5 entry each.

My coffee shop / play area is quite small, and will focus on good coffee n cakes with a 25sqm area of toddler toys. I was proposing £3 entry but now in worried parents may feel annoyed at this cost?? All opinions appreciated!!!!!!!

£3 per family?

No honestly I probably wouldn't.

Would you charge people without kids to enter?

No chance!

I wouldn't - the play area is an added bonus that will attract people to your coffee shop over others.

No I wouldn't but then there were always other places to go.
I'd leave the entry fee but maybe make a small charge to access play area if that could work?

Most places around here the play area is free but something like a 50p or £1 charge might be enough to cover wear and tear, replacement toys etc?

You could always make a minimum spend per table?

No I wouldn't have done.

Also, as I have no small children now, I would avoid your coffee shop like the plague.

No!

Sorry no without the exclamation mark.

No I wouldn't, as I doubt you want them staying all morning as they have 'paid' but only buying one coffee.

Better to encourage more sales related to the children. Ie coffee £2, coffee with children's hot drink ( mini hot milk/ cocoa) £3. With every adult sandwich bought, they can get a toddler size one for £1. Etc

Also sell toys/ books/craft above play area maybe

No I wouldn't pay an entry fee but I might accept a minimum spend.

Only if entry included a really decent coffee in the cover charge

Sounds a bit like soft play (will put off the non-parents) without the actual soft play (will put off the parents)...

Raise your prices slightly to cover what you would expect to earn on the entry charge?

Depends whether you want it to be a soft play place withh good coffee etc in which case yes but you limit your market or a coffee shop with a play area in which case no but you might get a wider customer base.

I would pay that to enter a coffee shop with no toddlers.

Seriously I don't think an entry charge in your situation would be popular at all.

No.

No I wouldn't.

I don't get it either. Is it a soft play? In which case, yes charge per child entry to play. Or is it a cafe with toys? In which case, no make your profit from food and drink.

No. We've been to coffee shops with play areas, and end up spending extra staying for lunch and more coffee because DD's having fun, but I wouldn't pay an entry fee.

There is a play cafe in my city that charges £3ish (less for babies) but it is marketed as a play place rather than a coffee shop and it has a big area in the middle full of toys. It is very popular though. They also do a monthly pass for £10 and you can go as many times as you like,maybe something like that would work for you?

I think even a small payment would put people off. Just the psychology of it somehow. That said, you do need to find a way to put subtle pressure on people to keep spending on food and drink if they are hanging about though.

I wouldn't pay for this - there's a local play cafe, which charges similar, but their play area is enormous, the focus is definitely on that, the coffee just a bonus.

No. Never heard of this unless its a soft play. Sounds abit daft. Would you charge someone with no children. Shops dont charge you to look at their wares.

Yes if you gave me free hot chocolate with marshmallows and homemade cake.