Take-away coffee... but sitting in the cafe to drink it?

[beanzontoast]

Recently while in one of the cafes I go to, I noticed three different sets of customers sitting at tables with take-out drinks (i.e. in the tall waxed beakers with lids on). It happened that the cafe was really busy that day so tables were at a premium.

The price of the take-out drinks was less than for the 'sitting in' price. There was no waiting on customers at the tables by staff as such, though obviously they had to clean tables etc.

What's the legal situation here? Is it down to the cafe to enforce or are the customers liable in any way?

 

[YahudaMoon]

Was you cycling?

If so then the unofficial cycling code says no mudguards, no sitting in cafes

 

[postman]

I think it is something like food,you cannot buy a sarnie in a supermarket then eat it in their cafe .It is to do with vat on food in cafes.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

it could be they just asked for it in a paper cup.

there's a little café around the corner from school, and there's been times when we've been in and asked to sit in but with takeaway cups so that if we didn't have time to finish the coffee before getting the kids, we could take it with us…

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I get the takeaway cups as there's less chance they've had filthy paws all over them.

 

[the_mikey]

A few places seem to add an extra charge for sitting in, at Swindon railway station for example, expect to pay 20p more for the pleasure of having your coffee in a cardboard cup with the intention of drinking it in the seating area, previously known as the waiting room. You pay less if you intend to take the drink outside, on the platform.

I don't know if anyone polices where people drink their tea/coffee, but it seems pretty unworkable.

 

[Beebo]

I think the paper cup is the most expensive ingredient in the coffee.
But that could be an urban myth.

 

[ScotiaLass]

it could be they just asked for it in a paper cup.

there's a little café around the corner from school, and there's been times when we've been in and asked to sit in but with takeaway cups so that if we didn't have time to finish the coffee before getting the kids, we could take it with us…

I've done before too....tell them I'm sitting in (so I get charged accordingly and can use a seat) but ask for my drink in a take-out cup

 

[threebikesmcginty]

A few places seem to add an extra charge for sitting in, at Swindon railway station for example, expect to pay 20p more for the pleasure of having your coffee in a cardboard cup with the intention of drinking it in the seating area, previously known as the waiting room. You pay less if you intend to take the drink outside, on the platform.

I don't know if anyone polices where people drink their tea/coffee, but it seems pretty unworkable.

Swindon, I'd rather die!

 

[stephec]

Greggs have got cafes in some of their shops, and they display different prices for eat in or takeaway.

 

[jayonabike]

I get the takeaway cups as there's less chance they've had filthy paws all over them.

No, just the rats pissing on them while they're being stored in a warehouse

 

[Tin Pot]

Recently while in one of the cafes I go to, I noticed three different sets of customers sitting at tables with take-out drinks (i.e. in the tall waxed beakers with lids on). It happened that the cafe was really busy that day so tables were at a premium.

The price of the take-out drinks was less than for the 'sitting in' price. There was no waiting on customers at the tables by staff as such, though obviously they had to clean tables etc.

What's the legal situation here? Is it down to the cafe to enforce or are the customers liable in any way?

They should be paying VAT.

HMRC agents will follow them home, kick their doors in, steal their computers and plant kiddie porn.
That will teach them a lesson.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I think it is something like food,you cannot buy a sarnie in a supermarket then eat it in their cafe .It is to do with vat on food in cafes.

I frequently purchase something suitable from the supermarket and eat it in their cafes... We will be purchasing drinks and usually something for my OH, but with a (severe) dairy allergic, few cafes can actually provide me with anything. M&S, Waitrose, Tesco, Costa (in a Tesco) & Sainsbury's have all obliged when asked - but I guess the situation could be different if they can't actually provide you with anything you can eat from the café and are eating with others, and purchasing drinks in the café.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

No, just the rats ****ing on them while they're being stored in a warehouse

You're thinking of that Starbucks taste.

 

[coffeejo]

Throwaway nation