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Original poster

What is a cafe?

28 replies

Rae36 · 08/10/2020 20:47

When is a cafe not a cafe but a very small restaurant?

Central belt licenced cafes can now stay open.

Fucks sake, they really are making this shit up as they go along.

Which is good for licenced cafes, I'm not complaining. I wonder what the very small cafe / restaurant at the end of my street will be tomorrow? I bet they'll be out under cover of darkness painting over the 'R' word on the sign above their door so they can stay open.

OP posts:
Malachite234 · 08/10/2020 20:51

As I understand - if they have a license they must close.

Malachite234 · 08/10/2020 20:52

A liquor license I mean! But isn’t everything closed from tomorrow ? Except takeaway ?

Original poster
Rae36 · 08/10/2020 20:57

No they've changed their minds according to the BBC.

All cafes in the central belt will be allowed to open as long as they do not serve alcohol.

Ms Sturgeon was "delighted" to have the opportunity to clarify this point in parliament today

OP posts:
Scotslassie1 · 08/10/2020 21:02

Did you watch it live? Doesn't seem so...

AHintOfStyle · 08/10/2020 21:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Arkadia · 08/10/2020 23:27

Yes, I read that too. Seemingly she said it during FM question time when an unsuspected MSP asked the question.
The difference between a licensed cafe and a restaurant escapes me...

EarlGreyJenny · 09/10/2020 08:05

Agree, gutted for restaurants who are being forced to close when cafes aren't, cannot see how one is safe and one isn't. Restaurants just don't serve alcohol either?

ApolloandDaphne · 09/10/2020 08:14

NS clarified that a licensed cafe can open as long as it doesn't serve alcohol.

BrokenBrit · 09/10/2020 08:26

Why then couldn’t a restaurant open and not serve alcohol?

Original poster
Rae36 · 09/10/2020 09:05

Why didn't they do it by size or something? If they are worried about people mixing then all 'establishments' with more than 10/20/30/40 seats must close.

It's almost like they didn't think their policy through at all before announcing it.....

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 09/10/2020 09:45

@BrokenBrit

Why then couldn’t a restaurant open and not serve alcohol?
Restaurants can stay open in all areas except the restricted ones. I guess in those areas they want people at home in the evening rather than mixing. It will only be a small number who can go to a cafe during the day. Those that are working will be right home then I bake to go anywhere in the evening. I rather suspect people will just meet up in their homes. Under the cover of darkness who will notice?!
EarlGreyJenny · 09/10/2020 11:04

It makes no sense that restaurants can't open under same restrictions as cafes. Close at 6, no alcohol etc. And size doesn't matter, it's what you do with it. As long as people are distanced... arguably bigger restaurants are safer as airier.

ApolloandDaphne · 09/10/2020 11:40

@EarlGreyJenny

It makes no sense that restaurants can't open under same restrictions as cafes. Close at 6, no alcohol etc. And size doesn't matter, it's what you do with it. As long as people are distanced... arguably bigger restaurants are safer as airier.
They can though but only in the non- restricted areas. Our local Indian restaurant has posted that they are open 12-6 for sit in meals but not serving alcohol. They are open until 10 for takeaways.
derxa · 09/10/2020 12:49

Nicola discussing whether a jaffa cake is a biscuit or a cake with a journalist Hmm

prettybird · 09/10/2020 13:04

....and getting it wrong Grin

derxa · 09/10/2020 13:33
Grin
EarlGreyJenny · 09/10/2020 17:33

@ApolloandDaphne

I know but I mean in the restricted area (most populous bit of country). I get that some parts of the country should tighter restrictions but within those areas the restrictions are a bit frustrating if you are a restauranteur.

user1487194234 · 09/10/2020 20:35

It is a total shambles
Feel so sorry for the hospitality trade
Scottish government don't seem to give a shit about them

NotAnActualSheep · 09/10/2020 20:54

@derxa

Nicola discussing whether a jaffa cake is a biscuit or a cake with a journalist Hmm
Ah... Political discourse in Scotland is something special Grin

Apparently a cafe is somewhere where their main business is serving "non alcoholic drinks, snacks and light meals". Which seems to apply to many restaurants too at breakfast/ lunchtime. But who am I to argue? They have made a decision they don't want too many hospitality places open in the central belt, so licensed pubs and restaurants are forbidden, but cafes are fine. So all the people who want to meet a friend for coffee now have to cram into fewer places. Perfectly sensible..

I want to know where "cafe-bars" sit in all this (cafe by day, bar by night...? But they aren't allowed to open at night, so a cafe then? Even if they make most income through the bar part). Or indeed non licensed restaurants that don't have an alcohol licence like BYOB Indian restaurants. They aren't licensed premises, so aren't covered by the central belt restrictions according to this . But they definitely aren't cafes.. Its almost as if the restrictions haven't really been thought through as to how they would apply in real life. But that can't be the case, surely?!

waitforitwaitforit · 09/10/2020 21:52

@derxa

Nicola discussing whether a jaffa cake is a biscuit or a cake with a journalist Hmm
It's a biscuit.
ScaramoucheFandango · 09/10/2020 21:58

It's a cake.

I'm a literalist.

prettybird · 09/10/2020 22:07

I was amused when she said she was too young to know about the debate as it felt like it was recent on my memory Blush - but checked and she'd only have been 19 Shock

I can remember the case: McVities wining against HMRC, on the basis that Jaffa Cakes were cakes not biscuits and therefore not liable for VAT. Iirc, the killer argument was that a cake hoes hard if it's stale, while a biscuit goes soft. OK, it might not have been the killer argument but I remember it as one of the arguments Grin

ScaramoucheFandango · 09/10/2020 22:13

I remember the press reports.
I always thought they were lucky.
Did the other side mention Kendal mint cake (a sweet) or a "cake of soap" ?

Something can be shaped as a cake while being another entity entirely.

I rest my case m'lud.

ScaramoucheFandango · 09/10/2020 22:14

So yes I actually believe it in my heart of hearts to be a biscuit.

BrazenlyDefying · 10/10/2020 10:52

We have a place near us which opens around around 9 and through the day serves brunch, coffee, cakes, sandwiches. I have been in dozens of times during the day and although they're licensed, 90% of people are having soft drinks and coffee.

In the evening, they offer a different more "restauranty" menu where yes, more people have beer or wine.

So why can't they stay open during the day, closing at 6pm and just doing soft drinks and hot drinks? This is a small, family business which has struggled through the pandemic and which has been doing everything tehy can in terms of takeaway, boxes to prep at home, wholesale deliveries.