Claud W Dennis Coffee — Restaurant in London

Not all customers are equal:

I've allowed myself sometime to measure my review lest I write unfairly. I have been a casual Patron for nearly 3 years being a local however during the last 3 months I started visiting around once a week for remote working for around 5 hours sometimes less.

I have always felt unwelcome at the shop (a sentiment shared by another customer who's also a friend of mine) but I brushed it off as I didn't know the baristas too well.

One particular morning I walked in on the phone (conference call); set up my laptop and whilst on the call one of the baristas walked up to me shouting at me in front of the customers 'ARE YOU GOING TO BUY SOMETHING OR NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE CUSTOMERS THAT ARE PAYING?!' (I was still in a call at this point). I was utterly embarrassed and bear in mind that in 3 years I have never come to the shop without spending money. Subsequent to that event I recieved a dm on my personal Instagram from the owner of the coffee shop asking me not to return to the shop as they can't host me working in their coffee shop. He went on the share rough maths of how much they could make if I didn't come. Bizarrely the coffee shop has around 1hr of morning rush hour traffic besides which it's pretty much under capacity for rest of the day hence my shock.

Secondly, I spent just under £10/day and there was no notice of minimum spend for specified time or any messages informing people intending to remotely work from the shop that the practice is unwelcome; lastly I'd never observed the same treatment to a Caucasian  lady who seemed to frequent to use a remote office. My relief if any is at least my suspicions of passive aggression and the unwelcome treatment was confirmed.

There isn't a problem to want to maximise your shop's capacity at all times but small local business also thrive from a level of unquantifiable loyalty from locals and viewing em solely as numbers and turnover isn't the best way to grow one's business.

If you ever fall into the minority of customers on receiving end of this appalling treatment; there's a fantastic coffee shop across the road that's always welcoming 😊

Update 10.03.2022 Received a response on date of writing from CWD management to above review and the taste of the replay pretty much validates my feedback:

According to the response: Information "Corroborated by all staff members" claims that I worked 9-5 3 days a week which is laughable. I am keen to see evidence from the store.

Visit Log: Aug 17th 2021 Sep 15th 2021 Dec 7th 2021 Dec 13th 2021 Dec 14th 2021 Jan 6th 2022 Jan 28th 2022 Jan 31st 2022

Feb 4th 2022. These visits barely resemble the alleged 3 days a week.

I can confirm on one occasion I finished late due to an overrun meeting which I had to finish outside (isolated incident and I didn't start the day at 9am contrary to allegation from the owner/staff). I have also attached an image that may show the supposed 4 seater 'Large table' I occupied. As per attached photos the table barely fits a small laptop and coffee hence my bewilderment at this allegation.

If the team member's polite request was so polite I don't think I'd raise it; I actually explained to her that I was unable to order as I was on the phone to which she apologised for the incident explaining her reasons.

I trust I have been measured in my initial review, I have only been compelled to add this portion following the nature of 'CWD management's' response. It would be helpful to avoid future recurrence to either implement appropriate signage or simply remove sockets if the staff don't want to engage in difficult conversations with customers.

I guess it's easier for some owners rather than making small positive changes to dismiss a disliked review as "customers being inconsiderate of others" or refer to other local businesses by their owners as an indictment.

I am keen to know if you have had this conversation with Caucasian lady with glasses who seems to frequent the store a lot more than myself.

Your...

Have used this cafe intermittently over the years for takeaway and had liked it until I recently tried to sit in. Had an hour to kill in the area on a weekday afternoon so thought I’d pop in and do some work. Needed to charge so asked (as I was buying a coffee) if I could sit and work for an hour or so. I was told yes but only if I sat underneath the very loud speaker. Politely asked if I could sit at one of the many empty 2 people tables away from the speaker as I had a couple of calls to make. I was told no, cafe policy was if you have a laptop with you you have to sit in one place. I offered to move if anyone else came in needing the table and it got busy. I was told no. I offered to sit at the table away from the speaker for a bit and then move to the special laptop seat after my calls and was told that wasn’t possible as I had a laptop with me. Ridiculous!...

My first experience was fabulous! My throat was parched and needed some ice drink and saw this little coffee shop with pink flowers around the entrance which looks so cute. Asked if they do iced drinks as there are no ice option in the menu but actually there is! Its anything with the snowflake symbol which I didnt catch lol!

Ordered iced mocha which they can do over ice or blended for £3 which is decent. It taste so chocolatey which is just how I like it. Definitely coming again in the future.

They also have plugs for you if you bring your laptop/charger! And they use paper straws! Although they still use plastic cups, but...