Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
User submission
18.5K
Coffee Shop Owner Bans Kids From His Place, And Some People Are Seriously Angry
Bob Higginson, the owner of a small cafe on the English Riviera, is brewing up a lot more than fresh coffee these days. His decision to ban children under 12 from entering his establishment, but allow dogs, has sparked a boiling hot controversy in his community and online – but he’s standing by it anyway.
The Chart Room, Higginson’s vintage steamship travel-themed lounge, is located in the quaint fishing town of Brixham, Devon County. A sign on the door politely requests that patrons with children under the age of 12 find somewhere else to drink their coffee. It may sound harsh, but Higginson, who recently appeared on daytime TV program This Morning, has an arguably reasonable explanation for it. “Primarily we wanted to create a nice, relaxed atmosphere for our client base,” he stated. “There are nice and expensive artifacts around… And we’ve had things broken by children in the past.” According to local legislation, he’s within his rights to do so.
Reactions to the restrictive policy have ranged from encouragement to outright offense. One local resident, Wendy Moore, has even called for a boycott of the cafe, which she deems “discriminatory.” Others, however, don’t seem to mind the idea of a little escape from the chaos that often follows with young children. Scroll down to read more, and add your view at the end.
RELATED:
This is Bob Higginson, the owner of a small coffee shop in Brixham, Engand, that bans entry for kids under 12
Speaking on TV, he explained that the policy is meant to provide “peace and quiet” and prevent broken valuables
One Imgur user openly endorsed Higginson’s actions, which have since sparked a heated Internet debate
Many readers, who also liked the idea of a chaos-free environment, were inclined to agree
Others, however, responded less kindly the restrictions, and have even rallied for boycotting
What do you think? Is this agreeable or unacceptable? Tell us below!
157Kviews
Share on Facebook
What do you think ?
Fordessa 8 years ago
I would be his loyal customer if I lived there! Sure all kids aren't noisy and bratty, but I've had my share of meals being ruined by an unruly child that wants to run around, bang about cutlery, and scream and shout while the parents don't give two cares. Besides, it's only one cafe among thousands that are child-friendly. I don't see what's all the fuss about boycotting. I'd welcome this place with open arms! x)
Scott White 8 years ago
@SomeGuy Not all Convicted murderers are guilty either, but when creating a policy it's best to stick with it and not make exceptions.
Load More Replies...
Aubrie Allen 8 years ago
I love this! I choose not to have kids, so it's nice to go somewhere and not have my dining experience ruined by kids. If you have kids, just go somewhere else, to one of the other million establishments that allow kids. Simple as that!
Puddles 8 years ago
SomeGuy, I agree with you on this. I was an army brat, and my parents were constantly laying down the law about Daddy being responsible for everything I did, so I get your point. The problem though is that society has gotten lazy and allowed self-discipline to lapse. And until it gets its act together, the very thought of unruly kids are a fact of life. Sane thinking people want peace and quiet and will flock to a business like the one above, because the very possibility of peace and quiet means a great deal to them,.....myself included.
Load More Replies...
Aunt Messy 8 years ago
There's no problem with kid-free spaces. If you have kids, go elsewhere. It's not that complicated. You may have to walk another fifteen steps to get there, but if that's your biggest problem, you've got it pretty good. ... This was a business decision as well. I'm guessing his insurance premiums dropped. Also, kids don't spend money. Adults do. Adults with no kids spend a LOT more money than parents do. ... My favourite pub, because of Byzantine liquor laws in Chicago is licensed as a bar that serves food. No one under 21 is permitted through the door, including infants. It's a beautiful place.
James Warner 8 years ago
Aunt messy, the only people complaining are the ones that never discipline their kids (ignoring kids doesn't work; if that work, people would not have gotten bullied since ignoring the bullies made them stop. Oh yeah, that always worked). They are always the ones that say something to the effect, you don't have kids therefore your opinion doesn't count. You don't have to have kids to have a valid opinions about kids. Most everyone was a kid and remember how their parents disciplined them (well, the ones that have parents that actually did their job). Can't complain about ageism as it exists in bars, clubs, senior care facilities, gyms, workplaces (as employees), just to name a few. You were not born with kids; you were single before you had kids.
Load More Replies...
Carisa Weinfurter 8 years ago
Love it! My local is full of moms basically having preschool and singing kids songs over and over and over. So annoying!! Let us have adult space.
Cat Meow 8 years ago
That coffee shop would see me on the regular. Enjoying peace and quiet outside of your own home is a rarity! If he's made it his (marketing) concept for his coffee shop, so be it. Just avoid it if you don't like it, just like I avoid all those specially-made-for-children coffee, shops, restaurants, etc.
Anna Sheridan 8 years ago
I don't see why this is so controversial there are plenty of resorts that are no children it's just so adults can get away for a bit
James Warner 8 years ago
Don't forget bars, gyms, clubs, senior care facilities, universities, theme parks, workplaces...
Load More Replies...
Sheila Robinson 8 years ago
I imagine he has no problem with well behaved children but the number of badly behaved ones put him in a difficult situation. I like (most) children but I have seen kids in shops and cafes whose parents let them do whatever they want, and expect the business owner to absorb the cost. Earlier this year I was in a cafe that had a load of signs in the loo about not flushing odd stuff, and when I asked what it was all about the owner explained her place had been flooded by people trying to flush all kids of odd things (scarves, bags, an umbrella etc) and she had enough of it. I guess what they all want is a no arseholes policy, but that's difficult to enforce.
Fordessa 8 years ago
I would be his loyal customer if I lived there! Sure all kids aren't noisy and bratty, but I've had my share of meals being ruined by an unruly child that wants to run around, bang about cutlery, and scream and shout while the parents don't give two cares. Besides, it's only one cafe among thousands that are child-friendly. I don't see what's all the fuss about boycotting. I'd welcome this place with open arms! x)
Scott White 8 years ago
@SomeGuy Not all Convicted murderers are guilty either, but when creating a policy it's best to stick with it and not make exceptions.
Load More Replies... Aubrie Allen 8 years ago
I love this! I choose not to have kids, so it's nice to go somewhere and not have my dining experience ruined by kids. If you have kids, just go somewhere else, to one of the other million establishments that allow kids. Simple as that!
Puddles 8 years ago
SomeGuy, I agree with you on this. I was an army brat, and my parents were constantly laying down the law about Daddy being responsible for everything I did, so I get your point. The problem though is that society has gotten lazy and allowed self-discipline to lapse. And until it gets its act together, the very thought of unruly kids are a fact of life. Sane thinking people want peace and quiet and will flock to a business like the one above, because the very possibility of peace and quiet means a great deal to them,.....myself included.
Load More Replies... Aunt Messy 8 years ago
There's no problem with kid-free spaces. If you have kids, go elsewhere. It's not that complicated. You may have to walk another fifteen steps to get there, but if that's your biggest problem, you've got it pretty good. ... This was a business decision as well. I'm guessing his insurance premiums dropped. Also, kids don't spend money. Adults do. Adults with no kids spend a LOT more money than parents do. ... My favourite pub, because of Byzantine liquor laws in Chicago is licensed as a bar that serves food. No one under 21 is permitted through the door, including infants. It's a beautiful place.
James Warner 8 years ago
Aunt messy, the only people complaining are the ones that never discipline their kids (ignoring kids doesn't work; if that work, people would not have gotten bullied since ignoring the bullies made them stop. Oh yeah, that always worked). They are always the ones that say something to the effect, you don't have kids therefore your opinion doesn't count. You don't have to have kids to have a valid opinions about kids. Most everyone was a kid and remember how their parents disciplined them (well, the ones that have parents that actually did their job). Can't complain about ageism as it exists in bars, clubs, senior care facilities, gyms, workplaces (as employees), just to name a few. You were not born with kids; you were single before you had kids.
Load More Replies... Carisa Weinfurter 8 years ago
Love it! My local is full of moms basically having preschool and singing kids songs over and over and over. So annoying!! Let us have adult space.
Cat Meow 8 years ago
That coffee shop would see me on the regular. Enjoying peace and quiet outside of your own home is a rarity! If he's made it his (marketing) concept for his coffee shop, so be it. Just avoid it if you don't like it, just like I avoid all those specially-made-for-children coffee, shops, restaurants, etc.
Anna Sheridan 8 years ago
I don't see why this is so controversial there are plenty of resorts that are no children it's just so adults can get away for a bit
James Warner 8 years ago
Don't forget bars, gyms, clubs, senior care facilities, universities, theme parks, workplaces...
Load More Replies... Sheila Robinson 8 years ago
I imagine he has no problem with well behaved children but the number of badly behaved ones put him in a difficult situation. I like (most) children but I have seen kids in shops and cafes whose parents let them do whatever they want, and expect the business owner to absorb the cost. Earlier this year I was in a cafe that had a load of signs in the loo about not flushing odd stuff, and when I asked what it was all about the owner explained her place had been flooded by people trying to flush all kids of odd things (scarves, bags, an umbrella etc) and she had enough of it. I guess what they all want is a no arseholes policy, but that's difficult to enforce.
Related on Bored Panda
166
244