Australians are increasingly frustrated with laptop users and remote workers who camp out at cafes for long periods, according to new research from Money.com.au.
The nationally representative survey finds that 61% of surveyed Australians want cafes to either enforce a minimum spend for laptop users or ban laptops in venues altogether.
Among them, 36% say a minimum spend should apply to laptop users during busy periods like mornings, school holidays and the lead-up to Christmas, to free up tables for other customers. A further 20% believe cafes should set a minimum spend at all times, while 5% support an outright laptop ban in hospitality venues.
Money.com.au finance expert, Sean Callery, says Australians have expectations on how cafe spaces should be used.
“Consumers are more sensitive to what they’re getting for their money when it comes to discretionary spending like dining in at a cafe,” he says.
“If they’re forking out for coffee and brunch, they expect a certain level of comfort, not to have to squeeze in among the people using tables as a makeshift office or study space.
“This becomes especially important during busy periods like school holidays and Christmas. If you’re paying for a family outing, potentially a surcharge as well, you expect to be able to sit down and enjoy it, not miss out on a table.”
In comparison, 39% of surveyed Australians say cafes should welcome everyone with no conditions.
Why cafes need laptop etiquette
Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association CEO Wes Lambert says long-stay laptop users can affect turnover and table availability, especially for small cafes and restaurants.
“When a customer occupies a table for one or two hours while only purchasing a single coffee or small item, it directly reduces the number of customers a venue can serve,” he says.
“Cafes operate on very thin margins, often around 3% or less, and rely on seating turnover to stay viable.
“Customers should understand that every table has a real cost attached to it. When a person sits for a long time without ordering much, the venue is effectively subsidising their workspace.
“This isn’t about being anti-laptop. It’s about the commercial reality that venues must maximise seating efficiency to cover rising wages, rent, energy and ingredient costs.”
Mr Lambert says cafes notice a marked difference between a busy service period with fast turnover and one where several tables are “locked up” for extended stays.
“Hospitality businesses are not designed to function as co-working spaces; margins are simply too slim to absorb low-spend, and long-stay seating during peak periods,” he says.
“If customers want to stay longer, venues appreciate purchasing additional items, choosing off-peak times or respecting polite signage about laptop-free periods. Most cafes welcome laptop users – they just need customers to understand the commercial balance that keeps the doors open.”
