Used to come here all the time with my friends and children. Patrons can understand the need to clean up after children and not bring outside toys inside and be held accountable. However, the passive aggressive notes on all the tables with the “rules” could be supported by staff frequently cleaning floors and wiping down tables. The state of the place was disgusting when we arrived and it was so quiet, both staff I saw were having a chat rather than cleaning up after the morning rush. My biggest complaint is enforcing no outside food EVEN for small children/toddlers is obscene and frankly incredibly tone deaf during a cost of living crisis. We were asked to put away our snacks we packed for our toddlers (both under 18 months) even though we ordered food and coffee for ourselves. This is an obscene and unfair rule to enforce on parents with small children, especially when you are still getting business from us, the adults. Not only this, but the toasted sandwich was cold and dry on the inside, there was a hair on my croissant and the gate lock outside for the sandpit is not childproof. Really disappointing after being a frequent visitor each week…we will not be returning. Not family friendly.

In response to your comment: I love supporting small businesses but fairness and quality of service is still important. Especially when times are hard- when people do spend their money they want it to be worth it. Hold your staff and patrons to a higher standard with the cleanliness and upkeep. I’m only speaking on behalf of myself but I always clean up after my child. And even with these small signs on each table and no snack rules in place, the space was still so filthy when we arrived. Maybe having friendly and LARGE signs stating “please be mindful and clean up after your children, thank you” etc and more frequent spot cleans and table wiping from staff is a better way to go. Your suggestion to go to a public space is all well and good, but do you not want business?! We had just come from another local small mother owned business around the corner and like most parents were dying for a coffee and the toddlers were starving. We had to leave sooner than we intended due to not being able to give them snacks. Leaving us with hungry and grumpy kids. The fact I’m having to explain myself like this really highlights that rather than taking this feedback on as an owner, you have been defensive and accusatory (which isn’t a proactive way to running and improving a business). The misuse of equipment and mess left by patrons etc is definitely not fair on you or your employees (or those of us who do the right thing as patrons) but there are more proactive ways to tackle this and your response still doesn’t speak for the other issues I’ve mentioned in the review.