Controversy over coffee shop owner banning customers from using laptops

In the wake of the pandemic, the trend of people going to cafes to work has become extremely popular. However, one cafe in Canterbury, England has decided to fight this new normal.

Fringe and Ginge owners say people working on computers is ruining the atmosphere in their cafes and since the ban, people have started talking more and have "built a community" to enjoy real coffee.

Alfie Edwards says banning computers from the bar was a difficult decision.

Alfie Edwards, who owns the bar with partner Olivia Walsh, said it was a "difficult decision" but ultimately a successful one, according to the Daily Mail.

"We had some really bad experiences with guests, asking us to turn the music down so they could join Zoom meetings. Then we realized, there are a lot of places where you can go and rent a desk, you can also work in the library. Here, we want to bring back the hospitality, dedicate ourselves to serving people and let them have an enjoyable experience," he said.

The issue of customers bringing computers to the shop and working for hours on end has long been controversial.

Edwards and Walsh opened the cafe in July 2020, just after the first Covid-19 lockdown was lifted, at the height of the remote working trend.

However, over time, many customers have spent hours sitting in front of computers and typing in silence at coffee shops.

Describing how the atmosphere has changed since the laptop ban was implemented, Edwards said: "It's been great to have people who were previously strangers now chatting regularly to connect with each other more.

However, other local businesses disagreed with Fringe and Ginge's approach, leading to controversy.

Alfie Edwards and Olivia Walsh

Hannah Swann, 28, manager of the nearby Garage Cafe, said she sympathized with the laptop ban but would not do so herself.

"We allow laptops here, most people are happy about that, sometimes people take advantage of it, but we usually have enough space in this cafe to be able to continue and not worry too much about it. I think the cafe is actually a great place to work because it's quiet," she said, but at the same time she was concerned about customers sitting too long...

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tranh-cai-vu-chu-quan-ca-phe-cam-khach-su-dung-may-tinh-xach-tay-185240509181625207.htm